by LJ Rivers
Or The Lady in White, as they called her.
Already, the gardens had gained more colour, tiny buds were appearing on trees and plants, and an array of flowers had started to blossom. Nature was blooming again, and soon enough, this world would become the Gwyn Fanon its people remembered, the gorgeous version of this realm I had heard so much about. With everything I had lost, at least I got to see this. What I had done mattered, and though too many had died, many more would live. They would thrive and prosper.
Mum put her hand on mine. “I understand,” she said. “You don’t belong in this world, and I believe, deep down, you’ve known all along. Besides, Earth needs you. But, my darling girl, I will miss you every day.”
I sighed and leaned closer. “I’ll miss you too. But not like I did when you were dead. When I thought I had lost you forever. This will be a different kind of longing. One I can live with.”
She pulled me close and kissed my cheek. “I’m so very proud of you, sweetheart.”
I smiled when I spotted Nefari balancing on the parapet. She came to rest in front of Mum, expertly balancing her large body as if there wasn’t a death drop one roll away. Kit was already lying by Mum’s feet, and the two felines seemed equally content by her side. Mum put one hand on Nefari’s head, and the Faeguard purred. While Mum wasn’t his true Kindred Fae, Morgana was gone, and my mum was so much like the former queen that it didn’t surprise me that Nefari had taken a shine to her. Nor did it surprise me that Kit had always been more connected with Mum than with me. Like her, he belonged here. The Faeguards would both stay by her side, protecting her. It made me feel better about leaving.
At least a little.
“Ru!” Charlie skipped across the battlement and came to a halt beside us. “We need you inside. Some last-minute preparations before tomorrow.”
Tomorrow!
I had wanted to return to Earth for months now, yet with the day finally arriving, I felt regret for leaving this place. For leaving Mum, now that I had just found her again. At the same time, I was looking forward to returning to my life in London. I would have missed the start of the semester, although I hadn’t missed all that much, so I should be able to catch up. Raelynn would probably be pissed at me and make me beg on my knees to be allowed back to work at the Whisper again, but I was kind of looking forward to that as well.
“Well, come on.” Charlie gestured for us to follow, so we did.
The three of us went inside the castle and found our way to the Royal Library. It was as impressive as ever, if not more so. Spears of light lanced through the tall arched windows, illuminating the room and providing a warmth it had been lacking before.
By a desk close to one of the windows, a group of people awaited. People I had come to love and care for. Pullhelli sat behind the desk with a scroll in front of him. As we neared, Charlie approached Rowan, who sat on the windowsill, and plopped down next to him. Erica, Cynthia, and Brendan sat on the floor, talking, while Taryn eyed them with his one good eye. When he saw me, he smiled. A rarity, coming from the Master of War, though I had seen it more frequently since we won the battle. I hadn’t been able to heal his sight, however. There was plenty I could heal, but even my magic had its limits, and I hadn’t been able to restore the eye he lost during the aerial fight with the griffins. Still, he wasn’t one to complain, and when I asked him about it, he had done what he did now. Smiled. Then he said it was a small price to pay for freedom.
Llewellyn appeared from one of the many aisles between the bookcases, with Bailey trailing behind him. He gave me a nod and leaned against the wall. Mum and I had gone back to Crochan Island the first chance we got. We spent a day and a night there, and my grandfather had told her everything. From Mum’s childhood, how my grandmother had made sure she got out of Perllanafal, how he had made a deal with Auberon—all of it. Then I told Mum about the good things he had done, and about how he saved both Brendan and me during the attack on Crochan. After learning everything, Mum had allowed him to return to Avalon and stay with her in the castle for a while. He wasn’t forgiven, not yet, but they both deserved the chance of a relationship and getting to know each other again. That, too, made my decision easier.
They were all here. All my closest family and friends. Everyone, except for the ones we had lost. While I had lost a lot of people, Erica had probably suffered the most. She lost her entire family in the bombings in The Forge, then gained a new one—a pack—with Jen and Jack. And now Erica was the only one left. A lone wolf without a pack, without her Alpha. She had been quiet and closed off until Jen’s and Jack’s funeral, though she was gradually becoming the snarky and chipper woman she was before. We didn’t hold essencebearings for our wolf friends, as it wasn’t the Shifter way. Instead, they had been brought to Gwyn Tala Glade. Evonny—the new packmaster of the Gwyntali wolves after Naheena had died on the battlefield—held a beautiful eulogy, after which Jack and Jen were buried in the place where they celebrated life in all its forms. The Shifters believed that their bodies would nurture the land and bring forth new life, and I took comfort in the thought that my friends would live on in that glade. It was as vibrant and ethereal as Pullhelli had described it once had been when he was teaching me to wield the shadows.
Mum twirled some of my hair around her fingers. It had grown past my ears, and the purple had finally washed out. I was a red-head once more, though I was considering keeping it short. I wasn’t sure why, but it made me feel closer to Jen. No matter the length of my hair, however, I would carry her memory in my heart for the rest of my life. I would do everything I could to be as brave and compassionate as she had been, and I would strive to make her proud of me.
Pullhelli cleared his throat. “My Queen. Princess.”
Mum nodded at him.
“We have some matters to discuss before Ruby leaves us. First on the agenda is the matter of the Mynydd Dewin throne. I received word earlier today from Commander Zorvan, who is currently the head of operations over there, and they have agreed.”
“Splendid,” Mum said.
“Agreed to what?” I asked.
The two of them shared an amused look, but no one gave me an answer. Instead, Mum gestured for Rowan.
“Would you join us for a moment, please?” The three of us took a seat each opposite Pullhelli. Mum clasped her hands in her lap and looked at my brother. “As you know, most of the Sorcerers are back in Mynydd Dewin by now, but they are missing a monarch. As blood shall follow blood, I decided that it was time.”
“Time?” Rowan frowned. “For what?”
“For the truth.” She reached out and took his hand. “You are no longer Rowan of Nidra. From now on, you shall be known as Rowan of Merlin. I went with the assumption that you did not want to attach yourself to Auberon’s name, and Merlin has a rather nice ring to it, wouldn’t you say?”
His eyes widened. “And they just accepted that?”
“Your unique shadowwalking is kind of a telltale sign. And, as it turns out, there was a crucial witness. A Goblin. This Goblin resides in Pentrefan Cyll these days. He is known as Gethin the Wise, though before his people entrusted him with his current position, he worked for the Lord of Nidra as a herbmaster. During your visit to Pentrefan Cyll, Gethin recognised you, even if you did not recognise him, and once news of our victory reached Gethin, he wrote me a letter. He is a man of honour, and while Goblins are known for their discretion, they are also known for their truthfulness. All this taken into account, Pullhelli has officially claimed you as family. Your name is already written into the family tree.”
“I—I don’t have words.” Rowan shook his head, sinking into the chair. “I’m officially a Merlin?”
Across from us, Pullhelli unrolled the scroll in front of him. “Indeed. And the Sorcerers have accepted all the evidence. It helped that plenty of them witnessed you fight, and some have even fought beside you when you were one of Auberon’s soldiers. That being said, they are rather desperate for a leader, and they have agreed th
at you are the right choice.”
“But what about Ruby?” he protested.
I held my palm up. “Uh-uh. I’m not staying, remember. Plus, you grew up there, and you know these people.” I grinned. “Not monarch material, huh?” I shoved him lightly. “King Rowan of Mynydd Dewin. I like it.”
He stood abruptly, went to the window and grabbed Charlie’s hand, leading her back to us. “Would they accept me, even with a Don Hekal by my side?”
“Hey!” Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Former Don Hekal.”
She didn’t look any different, but since our last encounter with Nimue, I had seen her heal a bird, and later one of the children living in the castle. She wasn’t all Fae, however. Like me, she had no wings, but it appeared she had got Fae-like powers. Either way, I was happy for her. But what had Rowan just said?
“Char?” I gaped, looking between them.
Her eyes were downcast. “I’m sorry, Ru. I know you want me to go back with you, but my heart is here.” She looked at me then. “I’m terrified, but if this is my path, then at least I’ll have my intended to guide me.”
“Your intended?” I cocked an eyebrow.
“As soon as she accepts my proposal.” Rowan smirked. “I have asked her three times already, but she says she’s not marriage material, and that it’s too soon—” He scratched his head. “Huh?”
“Charlie!” The chair legs screeched along the marble floor as I stood to throw my arms around my best friend. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Really?”
“Of course I am, you numbnut. I mean, I’m not happy about leaving you here, but I think I kind of saw this coming, and I wouldn’t dream of making you leave my brother.” I giggled. “We’ll be family for real, and I can come to visit you on term breaks. It’ll be fine. Wish we could ring each other, but hey, I can deal for a few months without seeing you.”
Pullhelli rapped his knuckles on the table, and we untangled to look at him. “That would be our next order of business.” He waved his hand. “You might want to sit, Ruby.”
I found my seat again, rested my elbows on my thighs and leaned forward. “Shoot?”
“Literally?”
“No, I meant, go on.”
“Very well. The portal has been an issue of concern for a while now. We do not wish for any Don Hekal who might come upon it to simply walk through, and I’m sure you would agree that there are still dangerous Magicals in this world who you would not want in yours.”
“So, you’re saying we have to close it?” I shrugged. “No biggie, I guess. You would hardly notice that I’m gone, then. It will be like, what? Hours or a few days for you, even if it is months or years on Earth.”
Charlie’s lips trembled. “No, Ru. He’s saying we have to destroy it.”
“But—?” I shook my head, trying to grasp the meaning of her words. “How would I ever return?”
She bit down on her lip, tears welling in her eyes as Rowan folded his arms around her.
“You would not,” Pullhelli replied solemnly.
My gaze shifted across the room, passing over all of them. “What if I close it and just open it briefly when I come back?”
“You broke the seal, or lock, if you will. You can close it, but unlike before, anyone can open it. The erudites and the new primes have discussed this at length, along with the lorekeepers and the queen herself. And we see no other way.”
“You knew about this?” I asked Mum.
“I did, but I didn’t want it to stop you from following your path, and I didn’t want to worry you until we had explored all options. Now we have.”
My body sagged. “So, I’ll never get to see you again.”
Erica and Brendan came over, positioning themselves behind my chair. The warmth of Brendan’s hand enveloped my shoulder as Erica leaned in on the other side.
“You’ll have us.”
I turned to face her. “You’re coming back with me?”
“You’re the closest thing I have to an Alpha now, and besides, I’ve been dying to kick some Harvester butt. While I love it here, it’s not my home. I might have stayed if Jack was still with us. He really loved Talani. But he’s gone, and I don’t want to stay without him. Or Jen.”
I reached back and squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you’re coming.”
“And me.” Brendan kissed the top of my head.
“And you, eejit.”
Tears trickled down Charlie’s cheeks. “I know you’ve decided, Ru, but are you sure? You could stay here. With us … with me.” Her voice broke, and I felt her sorrow as my own.
“This isn’t where I’m supposed to be, Char. The world didn’t stop spinning because Jarl Colburn died. There are still Magicals on Earth with no clue as to where they came from or why—Magicals who might need help and protection. Besides that, the MagX industry is still a lucrative business, no matter what was said after the Jubilee massacre. There are still wars to fight. Just, maybe not quite like the one we just went through.”
She nodded, biting her lip. “I know, but I had to ask.”
Taryn grumbled something under his breath, and I could have sworn he was struggling not to lose his composure. I’d miss him, too.
“Will you escort us to the portal tomorrow, Taryn?” I asked.
He straightened, squaring his broad shoulders. “It will be my honour.”
“So.” I inhaled sharply. “How do we destroy it?”
We had said our goodbyes to the Goblins on Crochan island, before heading back to Rhina’s Deep. Halwyn and Wadyan had filled our satchels with who only knew what, and I was sad to part with them. Mum couldn’t leave the castle again, as there were too many people who required her attention, so we had said everything we needed to say before my departure. And although it broke my heart to walk away from her for the last time, I rested in the comfort that she was alive and that she had finally found her true purpose. Also, I had learned how to live without her. This was her home now, not mine. Besides, if she had come, I don’t know if I could have gone through with it.
Taryn, Cynthia, and Alun, who had decided to stay—more friends I was leaving behind—and a few other guards had escorted us to the entrance to Rhina’s Deep, which was still cut off by the mountain of boulders Auberon had left behind. This time, however, I was stronger. After an awkward, though heartwarming, hug from Taryn and a crushing embrace from Cynthia, followed by Alun weeping on my shoulder, I brought Brendan and Erica with me through the shadows and into the cave. Seconds later, Rowan appeared with Charlie.
It was time to go home.
“This is one of only two remaining Nadredd blades in the realm.” Rowan retrieved a blade from a sheath on his hip. “Elaine holds the last.”
“You’ll do it, then?” I cupped my elbows, staring at my brother and my best friend.
“I will. Once I’m certain you guys have made it through.”
“I wish we had more time, Rowan, but I’m so happy I got to know you.”
He put the blade on the stony ground and opened his arms wide. I fell into him and inhaled the smell of leather and hay on his skin. “I love you, my sister.”
My heart ached, and I could finally bring myself to say it back. “I love you, too, my brother.” I shoved him. “And you better take good care of Charlie. If you hurt her in any way, portal or no portal, I’ll come back and whoop your arse.”
He chuckled. “Duly noted.”
Brendan stepped up beside me and offered Rowan his hand. “It’s been a wild ride, Rowan.”
“Sure has.” He snickered. “And I’ll repeat what my sister just said. If you hurt her, I’ll hunt you down.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Erica and Brendan finished saying their goodbyes, then sauntered over to the portal. My feet, however, were rooted in the ground. How could I leave Charlie? She would be happy here, I knew that, but my leaving would hurt both of us.
“You have to,” she choked out. “I don’t want you to, but yo
u have to.”
I dipped my chin.
As our eyes met, we both hurled ourselves forwards and flung our arms around the other, tightly gripping onto each other, as if holding a lifeline. She was my first real friend, my first best friend, and she had given me more than I could ever express in words.
“You take care of yourself, you hear?” I whispered.
“I will.” She sniffled. “You can have everything in my room, by the way, and tell Duncan I miss him.”
“Of course.”
She stepped back. “Oh, and I brought you a couple of things.” She untied a pouch from her belt and put it in my satchel. “The herb Halwyn used when Brendan and I didn’t wake up after our last portal trip. Might be useful, though I don’t think you’ll have that problem going back.” She reached into her pocket and brought out a small leather-wrapped item. “Oh, and there’s this. I guess I wasn’t supposed to, but … who’s gonna sue me?”
I accepted the item and folded the leather away to reveal what lay inside. Magic brimmed in my hands, and I already knew what it was before I noticed the bluish hues of the glimmer dancing over the rock inside. “Enchantium!”
“From the core. Figured it might come in handy someday. Oh, and don’t worry, I didn’t carve it from the core myself. The erudites had it in their collection, so this was carved by one of the Goblins who created Morgana’s crown. Elaine’s crown.”
“I’ll take good care of it.”
We hugged again, then broke apart before I could change my mind. “Be safe, angel. I love you.”
“And I you. Always.”
I turned my back to her and looked at the watery veil of the portal. Brendan and Erica clasped their hands in mine, and I took a deep breath. Magic pulsed in the air, coaxing me to come closer. I didn’t dare look back, but felt Rowan and Charlie’s eyes on me as I took the first step across the threshold between worlds.
Brendan smiled, and Erica showed me all her pointy white teeth.
Here we go.