by Sharon Booth
'It was a bit mean of you,' Sky agreed.
'Father didn't want to worry you,' I protested. 'You'd both finally found happiness and he didn't want to take that away from you — at least until we had to. Aveta warned us the second part of the prophecy was in action, but she didn't have many details. I don't see what difference it would have made,' I added. 'You knew the prophecy and you knew Hector's surname, but you never put the two things together before, did you?'
Star squirmed. 'Well … maybe not. Still, you never know, I might have done.'
'Never mind,' Mrs Greenwood said comfortingly, 'it's all over and done with now. No harm done.'
'Have you seen much of Hector since he took Blaise away?' Sky asked me.
I shook my head. 'Only that one time when he turned up at Castle Lodge and told us all everything had gone as planned, and that I wasn't to worry.'
'I expect he's been jolly busy,' Star mused. 'Cleaning everything up, making sure all's well with the time stream, or whatever Guardians do.'
'I wonder why he hasn't erased our memories?' Sky said thoughtfully. 'We're not supposed to know he's a Guardian. No one is. He erased the memories of the High Council members, didn't he? They've totally forgotten him, Hector said. They know a Guardian was there, but they can't remember his name or his face. So how come we can? Why didn't he remove the memory from us?'
'I don't know,' I admitted.
'I suspect it's something to do with you,' Star said, giving me a knowing smile.
'Me? What would it have to do with me?'
'Well, you're the woman he loves. Oh! Don't look like that. You must know it. He was willing to sacrifice his life for you, and risk Blaise going back to 1669 and causing mayhem. That's love.'
'Maybe,' I said.
'Do you love him, Celeste?' Sky asked.
Oh, there was the question!
'Celeste?' Star pushed back her hair and tutted impatiently. 'You can't still be in doubt?'
'It's difficult,' I said. 'I think I love him. I mean, I know I have feelings for him — strong feelings. But ...'
'But you can't shake off the thought you're Blaise St Clair's,' Sky finished. 'Even though he told you himself you weren't.'
'It takes some getting used to,' I admitted. 'I thought I was saving myself for Blaise all this time.'
'But it makes sense that you had to save yourself,' Star said. 'Blaise may have been the reason as far as you were concerned, but deeper forces were at work. Do you know, Castor told me the Guardians must remain pure until marriage, and that the wife they take must be pure, too. Sounds positively prehistoric to me, but those are the rules, and I know what a stickler for rules you are. When you think about it, it's perfectly obvious you and he are made for each other. There has to be some reason why you missed out on so much fun all these years.'
'But how can I know for sure?' I said anxiously. 'How can I trust my judgment?'
There was a knock on the door and Mrs Greenwood got to her feet.
'Stay there,' Star told her, 'I'll go.'
She dashed out into the hall, and I heard some muttering. Star pushed the door open and hurried in, her eyes wide as she shot us all an incredulous glance. Behind her, Castor shuffled into the room, clutching a bunch of tulips.
'Castor!' Mrs Greenwood looked as shocked as any of us, particularly when he handed her the flowers. 'For me?'
Castor looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else in the world. 'Didn't know you lot'd be here,' he muttered.
'We should go,' I said quickly, reaching for my jacket.
'Really?' Sky sounded bitterly disappointed. 'But it's got ever so interesting.'
To our astonishment, Castor smiled down at her and ruffled her hair. 'Never change,' he told her. 'You make me laugh, you really do.' He looked around at us all, a fond expression on his face. 'Never said it to you before,' he admitted, 'but I reckon I should have done. Thing is, you all make me laugh. And you've made me cry an' all. And you've made me worry so much I couldn't sleep for thinking about you. I'm not your grandad, but I feel like I am. I want you all to know, I love you so much, and I'm that proud of you, every single one of you.'
'Oh, Castor!'
'Castor that's so lovely of you.'
'Golly, Castor,' Sky gasped, 'you're not dying, are you?'
He rolled his eyes. 'See what I mean, Fern?' he asked Mrs Greenwood. 'What a character, eh?'
She laughed. 'We wouldn't be without them, though, would we?'
'Never,' he agreed, 'and I'm right lucky they still want me around, given what they know about me now.'
She clutched the flowers to her chest. 'What they know?'
'Aye,' he said. 'I told them. They know all about it. About Titus.'
'Oh, well done,' she said. 'How brave of you.'
'Weren't really my doing,' he confessed. 'I kind of had my hand forced. Glad I did now, though. It's been a heavy burden to carry alone all these years.'
'You never needed to be alone,' she reminded him. 'You could have had me to confide in.'
'Hang on a minute,' Star gasped. 'Are you telling me that Nan — Nan, of all people — knew your secret?'
They both nodded, rather sheepishly.
'But I don't understand,' Sky said. 'I thought you hated her.'
'Don't spare our feelings will you, young 'un?' Castor said.
'Maybe she shouldn't have put it quite like that,' I admitted, 'but she has a point. You always made your feelings about Mrs Greenwood, and Benedict, and the entire family very clear.'
'Aye, well, there were a reason for that,' he said, 'and I suppose, given how forgiving you've been to me, you've earned an explanation.'
'Oh!' Sky squealed. 'I know, I know! You were in love!'
'Don't be silly, Sky,' Star said. 'As if.'
Castor and Mrs Greenwood exchanged glances.
'Lord,' Star said, 'she's right, isn't she?'
'Back in the day,' Castor admitted, 'we were very close. Very close indeed.'
'Oh, Mrs Greenwood,' Sky said indignantly, 'did you dump him for Benedict's grandad?'
Mrs Greenwood looked most put out. 'Certainly not! Actually, it was Castor who dumped me.'
'Oh, Castor,' Star said sorrowfully. 'How could you?'
'If he hadn't,' I reminded her, 'Benedict wouldn't exist.'
'Oh yes, you're right.' She smiled at Castor. 'Well done.'
'It was the wretched family secret again,' he blurted out. 'It kept burning away at me. See, back in them days, they considered witches marrying non-witches disgraceful. It brought shame to the witch's family. I loved Fern, I really did, and I wanted to marry her, but I couldn't reconcile it. See, my ancestors had already done the most shameful thing ever — betrayed family. I couldn't be the one to heap more disgrace on our name. I just couldn't. My parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, they'd all worked so hard to restore the family honour. Difficult to do when you've lost everything, you know. How could I throw that back in their faces by marrying a non-witch? So I did what they wanted me to do. I finished with Fern, and I married Enid, a nice respectable witch from a good family.'
'But — but you loved Enid, didn't you?' Sky asked anxiously.
'Oh, I did! Leastways, I came to love her. You knew Enid. How could I not? She was right understanding about everything, and even agreed with me we shouldn't have kiddies, so the line would die out. I was always afraid one of our lot would turn out a gutless weasel like Titus. So, yes, Enid was a good woman, and we were very, very happy together.'
'As I was very happy with Benedict's grandfather,' Mrs Greenwood interjected. 'It all worked out for the best for all of us.'
'But why were you so horrible to her if it was your decision?' Star asked.
'Two reasons. One, I were jealous when she got wed. Oh, I was happy with Enid, but it got to me, see. How could a witch marry a non-witch and make it work, despite his family's objections? And they did object, didn't they, Fern?'
'Oh, yes,' Mrs Greenwood agreed. 'They objected all right
.'
'See, I was angry at him for having the guts I lacked, and angry at meself for being too much like Titus.'
'I can understand that,' I said. 'Even so, it was harsh on poor Mrs Greenwood.'
'Not to mention Benedict,' Star said. 'You were pretty scathing about him at times.'
'Aye, well.' Castor sighed heavily. 'That were fear.'
'Fear? Of what?'
'It's hard for me to admit,' he said, 'but I were right scared. See, when I were courting Fern here, hormones got the better of me. All that love stuff clouded me brain and, not to put too fine a point on it, I did summat I shouldn't.'
Sky wrinkled her nose. 'You don't have to go into details,' she said hastily.
'Not like that!' Castor cuffed her gently and laughed. 'Trust you. No, I mean I told her summat I shouldn't, and I've been regretting it ever since.'
'Ah.' I nodded, understanding at last. 'You told her about Titus, and what he'd done to our family.'
'I told him repeatedly I would never reveal his secret,' Mrs Greenwood said, rolling her eyes. 'He wouldn't have it.'
'I thought, once her and me were finished, she'd get her revenge on me by telling someone. She never did, but the fear wouldn't go away. It scared me that she could tell Benedict, and then he'd tell you, Star. So I tried to keep our families apart as much as possible. I'm right sorry. It were cowardly of me.'
'As if I'd ever betray a confidence,' Mrs Greenwood said.
'Oh, Castor, you're such an idiot,' Star said. 'Is there anything else we need to forgive you for while you're here?'
'Nah,' he said. 'I came to see Fern a while ago and apologised, and she accepted my apology, bless her. I must admit,' he said, 'now it's out in the open I feel miles better.'
'I hate to say I told you so,' Mrs Greenwood admonished him gently.
'I know.' Castor plonked himself down in the chair and smiled at her. 'Now that I'm here, I don't suppose you've got any cake going spare?'
Chapter Twenty-Eight
It had been a long and busy day in Castle Clair. The town was heaving as tourists flocked to the castle to take part in the Easter trail, hired boats to row up and down the river, or thronged the shops in Market Place. The cafés were busy, the gift shops were doing a roaring trade, and happy and relaxed sightseers packed the pavements as they strolled along in the sunshine, eating ice creams and chatting to each other.
'That's the trail done anyway,' Sirius said, as we leaned on the castle wall and watched the Hrafn flowing beneath us. 'Just the Easter egg hunt next week to go and, if today's anything to go by, and the weather stays kind, it should be another big success.'
'The museum did well today,' I told him. 'People are already asking questions about the rumoured new twists in the St Clair legend.'
He nodded. 'Jethro's going to get all the credit for this, you know,' he said. 'All this so-called amazing research he's done for his new book ... fancy him finding out Bevil was an innocent victim in all this, after all.' He laughed and shook his head. 'It's incredible how one television interview has already sparked so much frenzy. Trinity says his book's going to be massive. There's already interest from film companies.'
'It will be boom time for Castle Clair,' I said. 'The business owners are going to love him.'
'Fancy an ice cream?' he asked.
I considered the matter. 'I think I do, actually,' I agreed.
'Flavour?'
'Salted caramel,' I decided.
He handed a large, salted caramel ice cream to me and produced a vanilla cone for himself, and we turned back to watch the river, eating our ice creams in contented silence for a while as Belasko sunned himself beside us.
'You know,' I said eventually, 'we could put that land over there to better use.'
I nodded across the river to the opposite bank.
'The country park? It's fairly well-used though, isn't it?'
'Yes, but we could do something with it. Just a little area of it.'
'Like what?'
'Some sort of attraction,' I said. 'I've been thinking about it for a few days now.'
'Well,' he drawled, 'it is St Clair land. We'd have to get planning permission, though, whatever it is you want to do.'
'Hmm.'
He turned to face me, one elbow resting on the wall. 'What have you got in mind, Celeste?'
'A tribute to Mother Clipson,' I said. 'I was thinking we could recreate her story over there. Put up an exhibition room, maybe get a waxwork museum with scenes recreating key events in her life. A mock-up of her home in Glastonbury, her room at the castle, her prophecies in action ...'
He considered the matter as he crunched his way through the last of his ice cream cone. 'That could work,' he said. 'Providing we didn't encroach on the trails that people walk and it's built sympathetically so it's not an eyesore.'
'It would provide more jobs, too,' I added. 'The council always looks favourably on that.'
'And it would be another attraction to bring visitors to Castle Clair.'
'I thought, maybe this side of the river could be more about the legend of the two brothers — the amended legend that is, with Bevil and Jennet as the heroes — and the other side could be more about Mother Clipson, Castle Clair's famous prophetess.'
'She deserves her moment in the sun,' Sirius agreed.
'It's something to plan for,' I told him. 'It will keep you busy for ages.'
He smiled. 'Or you.'
'Me? This is your estate,' I pointed out. 'You're in charge.'
He sighed and turned his back to the wall, gazing over the castle grounds. 'Would it upset you very much if I told you I'm giving it all up?'
'What?' I couldn't believe I'd heard him correctly. 'Giving up the estate you mean?'
'Everything. The castle, the shop, the museum, the land, Castle Lodge ... I don't want it any more, Celeste. I don't think I ever did.'
'But — but why?'
'Trinity.' He shook his head. 'Don't look like that. I don't mean she's forcing me to give it up. She would never do that. I mean, finding her, being with her — it's made me focus on what it is I really want. Being the head of the family ... it's not for me. And as for living in the Lodge with you all ... I don't want that either. I loved being in Ballydraiocht. I know I made Father the excuse, but the truth is, I enjoyed living in my own little home. I loved my job. I loved being with the kids. They made me laugh every day, and I looked forward to going to work. Ballydraiocht may be the place of magic, but I had a very normal life over there.'
'Are you moving back?' I asked, my throat already tight with emotion as I realised he was serious about giving up his position as head of the family.
'No, no. I love this town, and Trinity adores it already. Besides, we want to be close to you all. You're my family and I love you, and Trinity's looking forward to being part of it, too. But I want my own space. We've found a little cottage to rent, on the outskirts of the town, and we're moving in together in a few weeks. Trinity's already handed in her notice at work. She's got no one in New York to say goodbye to, other than a few friends, and her flatmates are sending her stuff over to her, so she doesn't need to go back there. Her mother has a sister in York, and she'd like to get to know her at last.'
'It's all—' I hesitated, not wanting to upset him.
'What?' he asked shrewdly. 'Sudden?'
'Well, yes,' I admitted. 'You've not known her long after all.'
'But I already know how I feel,' he said. 'And she feels the same. When I lost Carissa, I thought I would never find love again. I'd resigned myself to being alone forever. But a miracle happened, Celeste. Trinity arrived in my life, and she changed everything. I thought I would feel guilt, but I don't. I know, I absolutely know, that Carissa would be happy for me, and would urge me to live every day to the full. She'd be thrilled about Trinity. Jethro agrees with me. He's happy for me, too, which is a relief. See, I know what it's like to lose someone and regret not having enough time with them. I never want to be in that position a
gain. Trinity and I have a future, and I'll make sure we live it. And that means doing what makes us happy, not what we should do. We want our own little house and one day, our own little family. That's okay, isn't it?'
'Of course it's okay,' I said.
'I'm going to train to be a primary school teacher,' he told me. 'I loved working at the school but, obviously, there's no call for teachers of magic around here. I'd like to work with youngsters again. There's nothing makes me happier, to be honest. I think I'll enjoy that job.'
'But, Sirius ...' I bit my lip, hardly knowing if I dare say what was on my mind.
'It's okay, Celeste, you can say anything to me. If there's something worrying you ...'
I turned back to the river, and suddenly it was a blur as tears spilled down my cheeks.
'Don't cry,' he said, pulling me into a hug. 'I know you've had so much to deal with already this year, but this isn't a bad thing, I promise you. I'll still be here in Castle Clair, I'll still be your big brother. You can always come and find me whenever you need me. And,' he added, smiling as he wiped away my tears, 'you can come to our place whenever you want to get away from Mother and Castor. Promise.'
'I know, I know.' I sniffed, feeling selfish and wretched. 'It's just — Sirius, you're a raven. How can you walk away from that? Castle Clair needs its master. It needs its raven.'
'Oh, Celeste.' He sighed and pulled me close again. 'Don't you see? I'm not the raven. You are.'
I pushed away from him and stared up at him, bewildered. 'What? Me? Don't be ridiculous.'
'But it's true,' he said. 'Why do you think Belasko is here right now? You think he's here for me?' He shook his head. 'Belasko and I have already said our goodbyes. He knows where his future lies, and it's not with me. It's with you. It's been planned for a long time. Why do you think Spirit has been distancing herself from you?'
'Spirit?' I thought about my little cat. She'd been in the garden, sunbathing with Mother when I left. She hadn't wanted to be with me. Again.
'Spirit knew the time was coming when Belasko became your familiar. She's been preparing herself — and you — for this day. Her job is over. You're the raven, Celeste. Ravens go where the power lies, remember? And you're the one with the power in this family, not I.'