by Alys West
“You told Winston.”
“Because I had to. He’d come to Glastonbury to look for me in October and he had to know what Maeve is - was capable of. But I haven’t told anyone else.”
“Not even your sister?”
“No, she’d been through enough.”
The drawings of the pale, thin girl came into her mind and Zoe nodded. “Yeah, I can see that. But there’s still something I don’t understand.”
Finn raised an eyebrow. “Just the one thing?”
“Stop it! I’m serious.” Zoe’s grin softened her words. “I don’t understand how Maeve trapped you. I mean I know you’d not used magic to fight before but you still had all your druid power. Wasn’t that enough to fight her off?”
Finn frowned. “It might have been if I hadn’t been such a bloody idiot.”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t realise what she was. I thought she was just some New Age freak messing with forces she didn’t understand. I never dreamt she had any real power.” He shoved his good hand through his hair. “When I saw the light go on in the house, I knew I had to get Cat out. I didn’t know what kind of hold Maeve had over her and I wasn’t going to risk her talking her into going back into that cell. Cat was so weak she could barely stand. I drew awen into my staff and gave it to her.”
“Oh!” Zoe’s hand rose to her mouth.
“Exactly.” Finn met her wide-eyed gaze. “The staff gave Cat enough strength to get to the car and then, when Maeve came after her, to drive away. But I’d got nothing left to fight with and when I realised what she could do...” He trailed off.
Zoe nodded. She knew what happened next. She’d seen the pictures.
“I never imagined that you’d dreamt about it. When I got your call…”
“I was pretty freaked out.”
“Then when I couldn’t get hold of you I thought…” He ran his hand over his face. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
Zoe slipped her hand into his. “No.”
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d bailed. It’s a lot to deal with. Druids, spellworkers, magic. A whole world you didn’t know existed a week ago.”
“Yeah, I know.” She hesitated, looked down at their clasped hands. “But I can see now that this seer thing is a kind of magic. Not like what you and Winston can do but...” Her free hand arced upwards as she tried to find a way to explain. “But I’d have been a lot more scared at the stone circle if I hadn’t had the dreams and known you were coming. So I guess the dreams can be a good thing.”
“More than that. If it weren’t for you, it’d be my grave Winston’s digging.” When Zoe opened her mouth to protest, he said, “No, I’m serious. Without your drawings I’d have been completely screwed. I’d have turned up at the last minute, desperate to get you out of there. There’s no way she’d have released you until I broke my staff and then I’d have had nothing. I’d be dead and she’d be coming after you and Cat.”
Zoe stared at him. “You’d really have broken your staff to get Maeve to let me go?”
Finn gave a small shrug. “Yes. It was my fault you were there.”
“Even knowing you had no chance against her?”
He nodded.
“Wow, Finn!” Zoe said. “That’s…I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t say anything yet. There’s something I want to ask.”
“Okay.”
He leaned forward. “Have you ever been to Donegal?”
She blinked. “No. Why?”
“Because Padraig left his house to me and Cat. It needs a lot of work doing on it before we can sell it and I’m thinking of heading over there. I want you to come with me.”
“I’d love to!” Zoe beamed. “But I can’t really have another holiday just yet though so it’ll have to be…”
“No,” Finn interrupted. “I’m not talking about a holiday. I want you to come with me. Live with me.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. You might think this is much too soon seeing as we’ve only known each other for five days. But after the five days we’ve just lived through I don’t think that matters. I know you, Zoe Rose. Okay, I don’t know where you went to school or what you like for breakfast but I know the important things and when I was in the stone circle you were the reason I kept fighting.”
“Oh!” To give herself time to think, she replied to the easier bit. “I can’t believe it’s only been five days. Before I met you feels like another life.” She fiddled with the cuffs of her hoodie for a long moment before she met his eyes. “But what you’re asking, that’s big.”
“Too big?”
Zoe shook her head. “I’m not sure. I….” She stared at the neat square fields stretching away from the hill, watched the tiny cars travelling the straight roads. She thought about what she’d be going back to. Anna - the only person who could possibly understand what she’d been through - had betrayed her. Her other friends would think her crazy if she told them a fraction of what she’d experienced. Her art classes were finished until September. She’d give up the job at the cinema in a heartbeat and if the publishers liked her preliminary work then she could complete the commission anywhere. So why was she hesitating? She turned to look at him. “I want to be with you. I really do.”
“Then say you’ll come,” he said, staring at her with an intensity that made her heart beat faster.
“I…I…There was a guy. Gareth. He, well, it doesn’t really matter but we split up about a year ago.”
Finn’s gaze dropped. “I see.”
“No!” Realising she’d given him the wrong idea, Zoe laid her hand gently against the side of his face. When his eyes met hers, she said, “It’s not that I’m not over him. I’m totally over him. But he hurt me pretty badly.” She hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I think maybe I’m just a bit scared.”
“I ask you to live with me and you’re scared?” Finn said. “You were brave as a tiger when Maeve was threatening you.”
“But she was only going to hurt me physically. You could break my heart.”
Finn was silent for long, painful seconds. Zoe was about to try to make a joke of it when he said, “I can’t promise you that I won’t. But if it helps, I’m in love with you.”
“Oh!” Zoe’s hand rose to her lips. “You didn’t say that before.”
“I don’t go around rescuing people I don’t care about.”
“I know. I just needed to hear it.” Her eyes were full of tears again but this time she didn’t mind. “I’m in love with you too.”
“So? Will you come to Donegal?”
“I’ve got to go back to London for the meeting with the publishers on Wednesday. But after that, yes, I’ll come.”
Finn pulled her to him with his good arm and hugged her tightly. It was pretty awkward with his sling and bandaged hand in the way but the peace that she felt when he held her was just the same.
As they moved apart, he said, “Come on. I’m starving. Let’s go get something to eat.” He pulled her up and slung his good arm around her shoulders.
Walking down the grassy slope, she said, “You know when you were in the tree, was it like you were asleep?”
“I suppose. I remember it swallowing me. Wish I could forget that part. But after that I don’t remember anything until you broke the spell and I started to wake up.”
Zoe stopped, stared at him. “I did what?”
“You don’t know?”
She shook her head. “Know what?”
“By cutting the bark from around the doll you broke the spell that bound the tree. If you hadn’t done that I couldn’t have escaped.”
Zoe’s eyes widened. “But I didn’t have a clue what I was doing!”
“Doesn’t matter.” Finn’s eyes were solemn. “I owe you, Zoe Rose. You’ve saved my life twice.”
“So if I hadn’t got drunk and gone to talk to the Green Man you could still have been trapped in the tree?”
&
nbsp; “Well, by now Maeve would have performed the ritual and I’d be dead but yes.”
She blinked, trying to take in what he’d told her. It did make a kind of sense. He’d told her that Maeve used the doll in a spell. She’d just not connected that to Finn’s captivity in the tree.
Then Finn said, “You talked to the Green Man?”
A blush stole over her cheeks. She glanced away, shrugged. “I was lonely. I didn’t like Maeve. I had to talk to someone.”
“But it could have been a tree spirit or a demon.”
“Would that have been bad?”
“A demon definitely. Tree spirits are mostly harmless.”
Zoe’s hands flew up. “Well, I didn’t know about any of that then. I just had a good feeling about you.”
“You did?” He wrapped his arm tighter around her shoulders and she stepped closer to him. “And whatever you said is safe because I don’t remember.”
Zoe threw a flirty glance at him. “The Green Man was much nicer than you. He didn’t answer back!”
His hand fastened in her hair, tilting her head backwards. “He couldn’t do this though.” The kiss was deep and passionate, promising much for when they were alone.
When she stepped back, Zoe saw Finn wince. “Sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“Worth it.” His fingers traced the line of her jaw and along her neck. “Wish I wasn’t so banged up. What I want to do to you...”
“Yeah, I know. You will. We will. Druids heal fast, remember?”
He laughed, took her hand. As they drew level with the Holy Thorn, Zoe pulled away, “Just a minute. There’s something I need to do.”
She walked around the tree, searching for the offering she’d left on Tuesday evening. The scrap torn from her scarf fluttered with the other ribbons. Catching it she thought back to what she’d asked for that evening. Nothing had turned out as she’d expected but Finn was in her life and for that she was thankful.
Running the fabric through her fingers, her voice barely audible even to herself, she said, “When I was here on Tuesday I asked to see him again and I did and I want to say thank you for that. And if you had anything to do with keeping him alive then I’m really, really grateful.” She unclosed her fingers and the ragged strip of fabric joined the other ribbons surrounding the tree.
Looking up she was surprised to see Finn on the other side of the Holy Thorn. His uninjured hand rested in his pocket, his eyes were fixed on the distant Tor. Feeling it would be wrong to disturb him, she walked a few paces down the hill. When she turned back, her eyes widened.
His good hand gripped the iron railing surrounding the tree. His head was bowed as if he were praying. Behind him the red ball of the sun hung in the sky. It was exactly as she’d drawn him on Monday night.
She turned away. When she’d drawn this she’d felt as if she were intruding. That sense was even stronger now. She’d come here to find him too soon. The injuries that had confused her on Tuesday made perfect sense now. And if this dream had happened then she couldn’t deny it anymore. She really could see the future.
Her hand slipped into the pocket of her jeans. She pulled out a scrap of paper. Waking in the middle of the afternoon, she’d struggled to remember where she was. With the dream burning through her brain she’d stumbled over to the coffee table, found a piece of paper and a blue ballpoint. The sketch was rough but the picture was clear enough.
In a large church sunlight streamed through a jagged hole in a modern stained glass window. The light created a pattern on the floor and in the centre of it lay a man dressed in a kilt. Blood spread from a wound on his head and pooled around his body.
Zoe swallowed hard. She couldn’t see the man’s face, didn’t know where this place was. But she knew she’d become what she’d feared. The woman who saw terrible things before they happened. She had no idea how she would live with that.
Hearing Finn’s footsteps she shoved the picture back into her pocket. He’d been through enough for one day. She’d show him tomorrow. Or, maybe, the day after.
“You ready to go?” he said.
She smiled. “Sure.”
He took her hand. “I believe I promised that for our first proper date we’d go somewhere fancy.”
Zoe grinned. “Actually, you said somewhere fancy with tablecloths and wine lists.”
“I’m not sure Glastonbury’s got anywhere that fancy but let’s go and see.” Hand in hand they walked down the hill into the town.
Acknowledgements
Setting out to write your first novel is a bit like a journey into another world. When I started writing I had no idea if I’d make it to the end and if I did what this book would look like. It’s been a long process, three years to write the book, another two years for it to find its way out into the world and, in that time, an awful lot has happened to me and the people around me. I’m absolutely certain that I’ve bored my friends and family to distraction by talking about Finn, Zoe and Maeve as if they were real people and banging on about Glastonbury and magic when I should have been doing something more useful. Thank you for putting up with me and for resisting the temptation to say (even if you were thinking it) that I could more usefully spend my evenings improving my crocheting skills!
First of all I have to thank my amazing alpha-readers, Jane Stockdale, Amanda Kershaw, Jean Scaife and Maynard Case. Your enthusiasm for the story and demands for more chapters are what kept me going and each of you has been absolutely crucial in getting this story finished. Thanks also to Maynard for creating the gorgeous cover art for the book.
Then there’s my lovely beta-readers, Jo Bartlett, Julie Heslington, Annette Valentine, Cynthia Else, Dave Pearce and Vicky Weston. You gave me the confidence to believe that the book was okay really and that it didn’t need a told re-write from start to finish. Dave, I hope you’ll forgive that the moon still doesn’t work entirely correctly over Glastonbury in late April. I’m calling it a local phenomenon created by the unique energy of the place and not a plot hole caused by my lack of understanding of all things astronomical.
I owe a huge debt to the New Writers Scheme run by the Romantic Novelists Association. Getting in the scheme helped me to take my writing seriously and it’s because of the NWS that I met the fabulous Write Romantics. I will never know the name of the NWS Reader who reviewed ‘Beltane’ but your feedback and comments helped so much. Thank you for explaining the concept of ‘deep third’ to me and for your enthusiasm for the story.
I also want to thank Chris Bartrum and the wonderful Bartrumbury crowd. I was so nervous when I read the first chapter to you in December 2012. It’s been such a boost to know that you want to hear more and the silence in which you’ve listened to each instalment has been the greatest compliment possible. If any of you are impatient to find out what happens and buy the book I hope you’ll forgive the inclusion of the prologue. I know it gives quite a lot away and that many of you have been enjoying the slow reveal.
There’s been an awful lot of ups and downs on the road to publication and I’ve had my fair share of wobbles and moments when I was completely ready to give up. For the past two and a half years the road has been a lot less lonely as I’ve had the amazing Write Romantics to cheer me up and keep me going. Ladies, you are the absolute best and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. Extra special thanks must go to Jo for being cheerleader extraordinaire and to Julie and Sharon for long afternoons of tea and cake in Beverley putting the writing world to rights.
During the writing of his novel I visited Glastonbury many times and after staying in a few places (none of which were anything like Anam Cara, I hasten to add!) I found the haven that is the Arimathean Retreat. It has become my spiritual home from home and, although the book has been finished for quite some time, I still feel a need to return at least once a year. A massive thank you to Karen and Lisehanne for making me so welcome and helping me through some of the darkest times.
I also want to thank the people in Glastonbury who have shared
their experiences and talked to me so openly about their religion and their passion. I apologise for any mistakes that I’ve made and ask you to remember that this is a work of fiction. And, ladies, I promise that there’s some amazing life-affirming spellworkers in the next book.
Finally, I want to thank my Mum and Dad for pretty much everything. We’re not a very demonstrative family and I know that if I say too much I’ll embarrass them. They always encouraged me to read and never complained about yet another visit to the library. They’ve supported me in so many practical ways during the writing of Beltane and helped me get back on my feet during the worst of times. You’re the best and I really hope you’re up for another trip to Orkney so I can finish the research for Storm Witch, the next Spellworker Chronicles book.
Coming in August 2016:
The Dirigible King’s Daughter
When Harriet Hardy moved to Whitby, the Yorkshire town newly famous from Mr Stoker’s sensational novel, she thought she’d left her past and her father’s disgrace behind her. But then an amorous Alderman and a mysterious Viscount turn her life upside down and she’s never been more thankful that she doesn’t leave home without her pistol.
But when defending her honour lands her with an attempted murder charge, Harriet’s only option is to turn to the mysterious Viscount for help. Fortunately, he turns out to be not so mysterious after all and, fortified by copious amounts of tea, she sets forth to clear her name.
As the court case looms Harriet fears she’ll forever be tarnished by her father’s scandalous reputation. Can she avoid conviction and find a happy ending? Or will she always be trapped by her past as the daughter of the notorious Dirigible King?
If you like Georgette Heyer or Gail Carriger then you'll love this sparkling romance with a steampunk twist.
About the author:
Alys West writes contemporary fantasy and steampunk. She started writing when she couldn’t find enough books to read that had all of the elements that she loved; fantasy, romance and suspense, although her love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer may have had something to do with it too. Writing steampunk was a natural development from her obsession with tea. How could she not write in a genre where the characters shared her belief that 90% of the world’s wrongs can be solved with a nice cup of tea? It also gave her a great excuse to spend her time looking at Victorian fashions and call it research.