Ruby Morgan Box Set: Books 6-10

by LJ Rivers

“He took me back to my room and put me to bed. I started asking questions about Mam, but he shushed me and lay beside me instead. After a while, he fell asleep. But I didn’t. I could still hear the lamb and wanted to see it. I had seen dozens, maybe hundreds before, but never inside the house. It had to be a special lamb, I thought. So, I climbed over my sleeping tad and went back to Mam’s room, still with my doll under my arm.

  “I opened the door as quietly as I could, and only enough to squeeze through. Mam sat upright in her bed, her head tilted to one side. Her eyes were closed, so I thought she was asleep. But in her arms was the lamb, and she had wrapped it in a cloth. It made no sense to a five-year-old. I tip-toed over and climbed into bed next to Mam. She drew a long breath as I leaned past her to look at this special lamb.

  “I wanted to scream at what I saw. A purple, wrinkled creature was biting Mam’s chest. I had never seen such a strange thing. It was no lamb, I knew that. It looked like a Goblin, but the nose was just a tiny bud, not the pretty, crooked one of my kind. Had I screamed, I might have scared it away, so it would stop biting Mam. But instead, I was paralysed. There was a calmness to the situation, and I got the feeling maybe this thing wasn’t hurting Mam after all. I mean, she was sleeping. Surely she wouldn’t be asleep if she was being bitten.

  “So, I sat there for the longest time—minutes or hours, I wouldn’t know—watching this tiny Goblin-like creature suckle Mam’s breast without understanding the first thing about what was going on.”

  Charlie had picked up her napkin and was doing the tear-dabbing thing too. Jen didn’t bother and let the tears fall onto her empty plate.

  “Then Mam woke up. ‘Mari! What are you doing here? Go back to your room at once!’ She didn’t want to hear a word from me, even though I begged her to tell me what was going on. I cried and cried, and soon my tad came storming in. He picked me up and carried me out of the room. ‘I want to see the lamb,’ I screamed, kicking and wriggling to free myself from his arms.

  “Later that day, Mam—still in her bed—called for me. I was in the kitchen, refusing to eat my breakfast porridge. Tad tried everything. He sang for me, told me funny stories and even promised to take me to Mrs Pugh for a candied apple if I stopped crying. When I heard Mam’s voice, I ran upstairs as fast as my wee legs could carry me.

  “She was still in bed, but the lamb was gone. It wasn’t a lamb, of course, but I had nothing better to call it. ‘Listen to me, Mari,’ Mam said. ‘I want you to forget what you saw last night. Speak nothing of it. For now and forever, you hear?’

  “But I wanted to understand, and I told her as much. She shook her head. ‘No, fy mach. It was only a bad dream. One that came because of the herbs we put in the cawl. Remember I said I was trying something new?’ I shook my head. ‘Oh, well. Maybe I only thought I told you, then. Anyway, it made you dream funny. Sori about that. Where’s your doll?’

  “I told her it was downstairs, under my chair. I had dropped her when Tad had carried me away from Mam and the lamb. ‘Was it a dream?’ I asked. Mam nodded, but there was something in her eyes that told me she wasn’t speaking the truth. ‘Now go down to Tad and I’ll be along in a little while.’

  “I walked down the stairs, slowly, thinking about the dream. Because it had to have been a dream. When Mam said it was, it was. But her eyes had said it wasn’t. I went into the kitchen, where Tad pointed at my plate. ‘I changed the cold portion for a hot one. Eat now, fy mach.’ He kissed the top of my head as I picked up my doll. I sat on the chair, thinking about Mam’s eyes and how they had looked. I was five and had no idea that I had seen my baby sister for the first and only time. I would forget about it soon enough, as five-year-olds do, except I never did. It is as clear in my memory to this day as it was then. And at that moment, as I held up my spoon and blew on the hot porridge, all I could think of was the lamb. And that it had all been a dream, even if Mam’s eyes said it hadn’t.

  “Tad sat down with his own porridge, and as he always did when we had hot food, he held his spoon in front of my doll’s mouth. ‘Here, blow on this for me, Tabitha.’”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “It’s not how we live, Ruby,” Mari said, once again rejecting my proposal. “Much as I would like—no, love to see my little sister, I cannot go to Chester.”

  I held my hand up. “Fine, I won’t push it anymore. I just figured since you have a car and—”

  “We just don’t go outside, is all.”

  Rhys did, but I didn’t think it was a good idea to press the matter. Besides, I was certain I could get Tabitha and Hugo to come down with me to Perllanafal for a weekend.

  Mari put the last plate in the sink and patted her hands dry on her apron. “Now, who wants dessert?” She opened the oven door and pulled out a tray. “Kept them lukewarm in here. Rhys, get the tea, would you?”

  “This smells familiar,” I said. “Mynydd Cymreig?”

  She nodded approvingly. “You remembered. I thought you might.”

  “Wanna let us in the loop?” Charlie asked.

  “When I was here last time, we had the same cakes. Auberon said they reminded him of the mountains of Mynydd Dewin.”

  If the proverbial pin had dropped at that moment, it would have sounded like a steel rod descending on a drum kit. Mari froze, holding the tray two inches above the table. Behind her, Rhys squinted at me, a grin cutting across his beard.

  “Auberon?” Mari’s eyes rounded. “As in Prince Auberon?”

  Might as well get it all out in the open. “The one and only.”

  “But he … it cannot be. He would be long dead.”

  “He’s very much alive.”

  The table stirred as Rhys guffawed, his belly wobbling. “So, we have royalty visiting us, Mari. Not bad for the outcasts, eh?”

  She came to life again, dropping the tray so the cakes bounced. “Stop it, you big bear. Forgive me, Ruby, but what you’re implying makes no sense. How can this be?”

  “It’s true,” I said quietly. “Not that I had planned on telling you, but then again, it seems this is an evening perfect for sharing.”

  Charlie gave me a gentle nudge. “Ru, are you sure?”

  “I wasn’t. But now I am. By the way, you have to try these.” I took one of the cakes and put it on my plate. I added a spoonful of jam from the jar Rhys had placed next to the tray and dipped my cake in it. It smelled wonderful, and I bit into the soft dough. Strawberry and cinnamon filled my mouth, and for a few seconds, I was right back at the hotel, eating breakfast with my father.

  Brendan and the girls helped themselves to cake and jam, too, and I proceeded to tell my own story. As much of it as I wanted to share, at least.

  “You clearly know who Auberon was. Or is, I mean. According to the Magical’s history, Morgana le Fay sentenced him to spend eternity in the Realm of Shadows. All this is well known to the people of Perllanafal, I assume. What you might not know, however, is that he found a way out of the shadows. He wanted to go back to Gwyn Fanon, of course, but ended up on Earth. He would spend some time here, until his guards, the Knights of King Arthur’s court, captured him and brought him back to his shadow prison again. This happened on occasion during the last millennium and a half, give or take, with Auberon growing slightly older with each ‘visit’ to Earth. He kept returning, attempting to find a way back to Gwyn Fanon.”

  “The porth,” Rhys whispered. “That’s why you were on Bardsey Island that day. Not that I believed for one second that you had … what was it? Lost a bet?”

  My cheeks heated a little. “Pretty lame excuse, right? Let’s just say we ended up on the island, down in the cave. I venture you’re familiar with the cave and all the drawings and symbols?”

  “That’s where the first Magicals came through.” His voice had taken an almost preaching tone. “The Lady Nimue herself saved them from Prince Auberon’s hordes.”

  I didn’t want to correct him by saying it was Morgana. Besides, Nimue might very well have had something to do with crea
ting the portal.

  “I can’t be more specific, as I have a million questions about it myself. But I think I might be able to find some answers if I go back to the cave. If it’s not too much trouble, is there a chance you could take me there in the morning?”

  Jen cleared her throat. “She means us.”

  “Defo us,” Charlie chimed in. “If you think you’re going symbol-hunting without us, you’re completely bonkers.”

  “I’m shocked,” Mari said. “Tha—that means you’re a—?”

  “Yes, and no. I’ve sort of abdicated. There’s no real throne for Auberon to claim, and I certainly don’t want to be a princess. Besides, I don’t think the descendants of the Avalonian refugees will welcome Auberon’s daughter. In fact, I’m not even sure how you feel about it.”

  “What do you mean? Me and the old bear?” Mari scoffed. “Think nothing of it, merch. To us, you are Ruby Morgana, and—”

  And there it is, I thought. She was making the connection.

  She gaped. “It cannot be. Can it? No! How?”

  I drew in a breath. “It’s complicated, let’s leave it at that. I’m the daughter of a Sorcerer and a Fae. A Morgana all the way, but also a … well, to be honest, I have no idea what the family name would be on my father’s side.”

  “Son of Merlin,” Rhys exclaimed, tasting the words. “Now, there’s an expression which just got an entirely new ring to it.”

  “Will you take me—us—to the island?”

  “With pleasure. How early can you be at the harbour, do you think? It takes two hours each way, maybe a little less with favourable winds.”

  I glanced at Brendan and the others, wrinkling my nose. “What do you say? Four-ish?”

  “If it’s not too early for you,” Brendan said.

  “I think that’s around the time I go out anyway,” Rhys said. “Best fishing in the morning. Besides, we’ll need to return early enough for me to help Mari with the final preparations.”

  “For my mum’s Hanfod?” I asked.

  “Ah, that too,” Mari said, “but I’ll have to bake double this year. Tomorrow we celebrate the Summer Solstice. It’s a tradition in Perllanafal.”

  “Nice.” Charlie grinned. “What time?”

  Mari’s lips tightened. “Oh, my dear, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid this is a sacred celebration, only for townsfolk.”

  “Oh.”

  The Goblin ruffled her husband’s hair. “Could you take the baskets with you, perhaps?” Mari asked. “I’m running low.”

  “That I can.”

  Low on what? Before I could ask, the sound of a car passed by outside. Mari shot a glance at her husband and Jen sat straight, ears pricked.

  “Won’t you have some more cake, Brendan?” Mari asked, her voice full of nerves. “I have more jam, too.”

  “Please, Mari, I’ve got no more room.”

  “Who was that?” Jen asked.

  Mari waved her hand. “Oh, probably just the Baker boys on a delivery run.”

  “The fabulous ones?” Charlie quipped.

  The Goblin woman tilted her head and gave Charlie a puzzled look. “Sori?”

  “Nothing. Bad pun.”

  “They drive an old, grey van by any chance?” By the way Jen sat, rigid and her head slightly turned to the window, she was still listening intently. “One of them named Emrys?”

  Rhys was suddenly very busy helping Mari clear the table. “If we’re going early in the morning, I think it’s best we get some sleep, all of us. I’ll drive you back to Llew and Lili.”

  “Not at all,” I said. “You’ve been so kind, both of you, and besides—we could all use a walk, I think.” I patted my stomach. “Thank you so much for an absolutely marvellous evening.”

  Mari came at me, arms outstretched. “The pleasure has been all ours, my dear Ruby. I hope Sunday will be a worthy Hanfod Chario. I’ll bring cakes and flowers.”

  “I hope so, too. Sleep well, Mari. And you, Rhys. See you at the harbour in a few hours.”

  After all the hugs had been distributed, the four of us left the house at the end of the street. Outcasts, Rhys had said. Was that why their house was the last one, away from all the others? A Goblin and a Shifter. It was against tradition. Against the ways of life in Perllanafal.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rhys tied the boat to shore while Charlie, Jen, Brendan, and I lumbered up the hill below the dawning sky. The wind slapped my face, and the seagulls squawked around us as we passed through a heap of nests on the winding path.

  “Right,” Rhys said, lumbering up behind us. “I’ll just head that way.” He pointed with his thumb to the left. “It’s where Mari’s precious herb grows. Hopefully, I’ll find enough to fill the entire satchel I brought, though they tend to grow near the most slippery stones. Sometimes I think they’re taunting the bear.”

  “Want company?” Brendan asked.

  “That would be much appreciated. If I fall in, I’ll sink like a stone.” His belly bounced with the beginning of a chuckle. “And I can tell you all about Bardsey while we’re at it.”

  I shuddered at the thought of Rhys falling in, then pushed it out of my mind.

  “I’d like that.” Brendan gave me a kiss on the nose. “See you in a bit.”

  “Meet you back here in, say, a couple of hours?” I asked, thankful to Brendan for keeping Rhys occupied. I hadn’t told the bear Shifter the whole truth about why I wanted to come here, and I didn’t much care to explain. It wasn’t just because of the cave and the symbols, though I supposed I would have to tell him something if we returned with a couple of swords. At least I would have some time to figure out exactly what that would be.

  “Sounds good.”

  Rhys and Brendan walked off while Charlie, Jen, and I continued forward. The sun had barely made its appearance, and the island was just now waking up. We had rolled out of bed early, even for my taste, so that we would be able to get back in time for the summer solstice celebration. My friends and I weren’t invited, but Rhys and Mari were attending. It sounded like an important tradition in the magical town. They seemed to have a lot of traditions—not all to my liking—and I understood why Mum would have struggled with staying here. When I asked Llewellyn after returning from the Wogans’, he had said he wanted to go, too, but that he didn’t want to leave Lili. Still, it felt as if it meant a lot to him, so I would do what I could to convince him that Lili was in the best hands, and that he could celebrate whatever made this occasion so special.

  I inhaled the salty air and exhaled in a long breath, feeling the wind rustling my hair. Though surrounded by water, as long as my feet were on solid ground, I was fine. And the island felt strangely familiar. Not because I had been here once before, though. There was something else. A pull, like a magnetic force grounding me to the soil, and dousing my maelstrom of emotions.

  “So.” I strode between my angels. “ I’m not exactly sure where he hid them, but Auberon said he had put our swords somewhere near the cave. It wouldn’t be too obvious, but I would like to retrieve them. If nothing else, I don’t want him to get his hands on Excalibur again.”

  Charlie clutched my arm. “Oh, man, totally.”

  Jen picked up speed and strode past me without a word. She dipped behind a rock, and moments later, the white wolf padded back out. Her nose was to the ground as she sped back and forth in a clustered pattern.

  “What is it?” Charlie shouted as Jen leapt onto a boulder, sniffing the air.

  The wolf bared her teeth, then clicked her jaws.

  “Right.” Charlie slapped herself on her forehead and turned to me. “Kind of hard to get an answer from her in that state.”

  I narrowed my eyes in thought. “It looks like she’s found something, though. I’m sure she’ll tell us once she’s shifted back.”

  The wolf bounced off the boulder and bounded over the hill.

  I shrugged at Charlie, and the two of us started after her. Once we reached the top, however, the wolf was nowher
e in sight.

  “She’ll be back,” Charlie said.

  “Yep.” I gazed across the landscape.

  Charlie slanted her head and opened her arms wide. “Where exactly is this cave, then? I mean, I’ve seen the swords before, but I’ve not seen the cave.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

  I snickered. “You don’t see it?”

  “Uhm, should I?”

  “It’s right over there.” I pointed at a patch of grass.

  “Where?”

  I waved my finger.

  “I don’t see it.” Charlie flapped her arms in frustration.

  I laughed and hugged her to me. “I’m just pulling your leg. You can’t see it from here, and it’s pretty well hidden behind a pile of rocks.”

  “Can’t believe I fell for that trick again.” She gave me a light shove, and I took her arm and led her further in.

  The vast plain of grass and rocks stretched out before us, and my memory served up how Auberon had looked as he marched across it only weeks earlier. Majestic and powerful with each stride. Looking at him then had made my heart bounce, and I had loved him intensely. Days later, the illusion was shattered into a million pieces. I still loved him, in some twisted kind of way, but I also feared and despised him. I shook myself. I was a mess. Better get your head on straight, Ru.

  Charlie and I pushed through a thicket of brambles and found the pile of stones.

  “This it?” Charlie asked expectantly.

  I nodded.

  “How do we enter?”

  I flicked my wrist out and a large stone rolled to the side. Another gesture of my hand and two more followed to reveal the opening to the cave beyond.

  Charlie grinned. “Wicked.”

  We clasped hands and entered the cave together.

  Darkness swallowed me, brushing against me as we traversed deeper into the shadows. It filled my pores, my muscles, and my bones, trying to consume me. I willed myself to stay grounded, ignoring the whispers and the beckoning tendrils clinging to my skin. Ignoring their song as best I could, I conjured fire in my free palm. The shadows recoiled as the light of the flames danced on the stone walls and glinted off the stalactites suspended from the ceiling.