Chapter 17 The Reluctant Hero
The Reluctant Hero
Holly
Ikiss him with the village burning around us. His hands are in my hair, his body pressed against mine, the smell of him—fire and spice—fills my nostrils. As his tongue plunders my mouth, my hands pull him to me. I never want to let him go.
But I become aware of the noise, cheering that slowly morphs into a chant.
“Zayne. Zayne. Zayne.”
“What the fuck,” Zayne mutters against my mouth.
A giggle escapes me, but I bite it back. People were hurt here today. The cheer frays at the edges—someone sobs, someone calls a name. Celebration and shock tangle in the cold.
“You’re a hero,” I say to him, stepping back. He tries to hold on to me, but I slip away. “Time to greet the fawning masses.”
He scowls.
I look around. We’re surrounded by a circle of chanting people. I grab Zayne’s hand and raise it, and the chant swells to a roar.
“Give over, Holly,” he whispers. “Or better yet, tell them to shut the fuck up.”
“Hey, guys,” I shout out above the noise, “you’re embarrassing him. He’s shy.”
Laughter ripples, the volume drops; the square remembers its bruises. Then one by one, they come forward and shake his hand. It’s amazing, but only in Elderfell could the people take a basilisk and a centaur fighting over their village with so much aplomb. We expect strange things in Elderfell.
“I don’t suppose you know any good invisibility spells,” Zayne mutters as a familiar figure approaches.
His aunt comes to a halt in front of us. “I got you wrong,” she says. “I thought you were like your father—”
“I am like my father,” he snaps. “He was a good man. He didn’t kill your sister.”
“He didn’t,” I confirm. “I know that now. It was Khazim.”
She shakes her head. “I didn’t know. And I was scared you would hurt Tansy.”
“I would never fucking hurt her.”
She hangs her head. “I know. I see that now,” she says, voice rough. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m taking her with me if she wants to come,” he says.
“I guessed. But Zayne, let me see her occasionally. Keep in touch. Please. She’s my only family now. And whatever you think of me—I love her.”
He gives a small nod, and some of the tension leaves her. “Thank you.”
We watch as she walks away.
“Gods, I was so tempted to tell her to fuck off,” he mutters.
“Except you’re a good person. The best.” I slip my hand into the crook of his arm. Off to the east, the sun is rising, pink and orange. Snow flakes hang in the air, but there's no longer a reason to fear the snow. I stifle a yawn. “It’s Christmas Day,” I say. “Let’s go home.”
I glance across; my dad is busy helping put out the fires and patch up the injured, so we set off walking across the countryside. Josh and Grimlet hurry to catch up, and we all walk back together in silence. There’s so much to say, but it can wait.
Back at the house, the villagers are arriving to pick up their children.
I find my mum in the great room. She’s set up tables with breakfast, and I suddenly realize I’m starving.
Josh is huddled in a corner with Milo, no doubt filling him in on everything that has happened.
Tansy is with them, still wrapped in a blanket but looking more lively.
Beside me, I sense Zayne stiffen. He’s staring at her, his eyes filled with longing tinged with panic.
“Go ask her,” I say.
“I’m scared.”
“Don’t be. It’s clear she never forgot you. She loves you. Go.” I give him a gentle nudge, and he swallows and walks slowly toward the little group.
He crouches down in front of Tansy. I can’t hear them from here, but I see the wide smile on her face.
She looks at Josh and Milo and asks something.
Whatever Zayne says, she likes it because she jumps up, and then she’s in his arms. He swings her around, then puts her down and kisses the top of her head.
My eyes prick, and I let out a little sniff.
“It makes everything worthwhile, doesn’t it?” my mum says, coming up beside me and handing me a plate of food. I eat as I watch Zayne, deep in conversation with the children.
“It’s beautiful,” I say.
“You saved them. I knew you would.”
“Which is more than I knew.” I turn to look at her. “I’m a witch, Mum.”
She smiles. “I guessed as much.” She pats my arm. “I always wanted a witch in the family.”
Only in Elderfell. “Well, now you have one.”
“You’ll be leaving us, I’m guessing.” She looks across at Zayne. “The two of you were always meant to be together, and Elderfell is too small to hold Zayne. But don’t forget us, Holly.”
“Never! You’re my family. I love you.”
“Good.”
At that moment, Zayne raises his head, his gaze meets mine, and a slow smile curves his gorgeous lips.
He whispers something to Tansy, and she giggles.
Then he’s heading toward me. So big and full of confidence, and my heart swells inside my chest. I nearly lost him forever, and my life would have been empty without him.
Fate has given me another chance.
My heart beats faster as he stops in front of me, takes my plate, and puts it on the table. He slips his hand in mine, and together we walk from the room, through the corridor to the library. He shuts the door behind us, presses me back against the wood, and kisses me.
Deep, hot kisses that literally make me weak at the knees. Finally, he raises his head. There’s a tic jumping in his cheek. For once, he looks young and nervous.
“Just ask me,” I say.
His lips quirk. “Will you come to Valandria with me, and Josh, and Tansy, and Grimlet and be part of our family?”
It’s not what I expected of this Christmas in Elderfell, but it’s the best Christmas present ever.
“Come on, Holly. You’ll love it there. And it’s the sensible thing. I mean, you’re a witch, and while there are no more mirror mages in Valandria, there will be others who can help you understand your magic.”
He’s totally right. I open my mouth to answer, but he’s already speaking again. “And did I mention the animals? Lots of animals. You can still be a vet if that’s what you want. And I bet the magic will help with that.”
I hadn’t thought about my studies, but yes, he’s right. Again, I try to answer—
“Did I mention how beautiful it is? And you can still see your mum and dad and Milo. You’re a mirror mage. You can go wherever you like. And Milo has already planned his first trip, and—”
“Zayne,” I snap. “Will you let me get a word in?”
“Sorry. I’ve been trying to think of all the ways to persuade you to come.”
“There’s only one thing I need to persuade me to go to Valandria.”
He looks wary. “And that is…?”
“Will you be there?”
A slow smile curves his lips. “Hell, yes.”
“Then I would love to come to Valandria. Zayne, I love you. I’ll go wherever you lead. Well, this time. I can’t promise I’ll always let you lead.”
He smirks. “I love you too. I’ve always loved you. I tried to forget, but you were always in my heart.”
He lowers his head to kiss me just as something hits me on the shoulder.
I look down. I think I’ve just been attacked by a chocolate truffle.
Another one hits Zayne on the head.
Grimlet is sitting under the Christmas tree, surrounded by empty chocolate wrappers.
“Ugh,” he mutters. “Kissing again. Disgusting. Mouths are better used for eating chocolate.”
“I disagree,” Zayne says—and lowers his mouth to mine.