“You prevailed,” Declan said. “You must tell me everything.”
“Well, we helped,” Tristan said. “But Aidan and Gwen really saved the day. Without their human skills—”
“And Breenan magic,” Rhiannon said.
“And magic, we wouldn’t be standing here today, and Bran would be dead for certain.”
“It was a team effort,” Gwen said with a smile. “That was the point of the island, after all.”
Declan looked at Aidan with pride. Aidan flushed.
“I’m not surprised at your triumph. Congratulations, Aidan, Gwen.” He pointed to the cottage. “Please, come in and make yourselves at home.”
Aidan glanced at Gwen, and she tried to say with her eyes that it was his decision.
“Thank you, but we should be getting back. We’ve already been away longer than we meant to. Mum will be worrying.”
Declan looked disappointed, but tried to hide it.
“Of course, I understand. I wouldn’t want you to keep Deirdre waiting. But you know you are welcome at any time? My home is your home, whenever you desire it.”
Aidan finally looked at Declan and smiled at him for the first time.
“Thanks. If we ever come back, I might take you up on that.”
“You’d better,” Tristan said. “It’s not every day I find a new brother who isn’t knee-high. You make sure you come back and visit your family. We’ll be here.”
Rhiannon stepped forward and gave Aidan, then Gwen, a hug.
“Good luck with your new adventures,” she whispered in Gwen’s ear. “It will work out.”
“Thanks, Rhiannon.” Gwen hugged her back fiercely, then embraced Tristan. She was surprised at how attached she had grown to these two. It was a shock to realize that she wouldn’t see them again for a long while, if ever.
“Please, take the horses,” Declan said. “You will travel far more swiftly with them.”
“We can’t do that,” Aidan said at once. “What would we do with them when we leave?”
Declan laughed.
“They know their way home. Set them loose. They will come back eventually.”
Gwen and Aidan rode away from an enthusiastic farewell party. Children waved and called out, and Declan watched them until they rounded the top of a hill and the cottage was lost to sight.
Aidan sighed.
“Is it strange, leaving?” Gwen asked him. “Now that you know your father, and all your siblings?”
“I suppose. I’ll miss Tristan and Rhiannon, but I’m not sure how I feel about Declan. It’s hard to let go of years of resentment. But I’m still glad I met him. And I know where he is, where they all are, if I ever want to be surrounded by more family than I know what to do with.”
Gwen chuckled.
“Can you imagine if they celebrated Christmas here? What mayhem.”
***
They made much better time heading southwest, on horseback and without the burden of Bran. At Gwen’s insistence, they skirted Leafly and other towns on the way. Bran had made sure their bags were packed with far more food and drink than they needed, and the fewer interactions with Breenan, the safer Gwen felt. By early evening, they reached the borders of the Velvet Woods, a journey which had taken them a full day on foot previously.
Aidan shifted in his saddle with a groan and peered into the woods.
“I don’t see any mist. What a concept—a forest that isn’t inherently eerie.”
“I guess the defenses and spells are back up, now that the realm is restored.” Gwen nudged her horse forward, eager to see Isolde’s recovery with her own eyes. And then back to the human world, back to normal life. She looked forward to it. “I forgot how pretty the forest is with the spells on. Hey, look, a butterfly.”
“Is that a deer?” Aidan pointed to his left. In dappled light from the slanted evening sun, a deer watched them placidly. Another stepped forward to join it, and together they trod with silent hooves into the undergrowth.
“That’s a good sign,” Gwen said. “Now the villagers can feed themselves.”
“What’s the plan? Do you want to see Isolde before we go home?”
“Yeah, I think so. Just to see with my own eyes that she’s okay. Not that I’m expecting a warm welcome, but it would be nice to know my way into the Otherworld is still alive and kicking.”
Aidan nudged his horse beside hers, and held out his hand. She grasped it, grateful for the connection.
“Do you think she’ll give you some jewelry to go with that tiara of yours?”
“Ha, I doubt it. The last time she gave me a necklace, the realm fell apart. And what am I going to do with the tiara, anyway? It’s gorgeous, and definitely worth more than anything I’ve ever owned, but really.”
“Keepsake, I suppose. Fancy dress party?”
“Right. The next time I’m invited to a ball, I’ll wear it. Because that happens so often in Vancouver.”
“Really?”
Gwen rolled her eyes at Aidan and he grinned.
“I’ll leave my three-piece suit at home, then.”
***
The path, now that it was cleared and widened by magic, led them straight to Isolde’s castle. Pennants flew from crenellated towers, and the open doors spilled music into the surrounding forest.
“This looks a little too familiar,” Gwen said.
“I know. I’m getting traumatic flashbacks. Come on, let’s say hello to your dear mama.”
Gwen climbed the steps with trepidation. She knew everything was different this time, but memories of their visit here in the spring kept intruding. Fear was the primary ingredient in her recollections.
Inside the ballroom, nothing was different from the first time Gwen had seen it. The same tapestries lined the stone walls, miraculously restored from their moth-eaten state of a week ago. The same company danced in splendid gowns and suits of colorful feathers and jewels. An orchestra of Breenan musicians played a waltz in the corner. Gwen frowned.
“I thought they wouldn’t dance anymore. How is Isolde getting new musical talent without the locket?”
“Thanks to you, dear Gwendolyn, the restoration spell now powers the realm.” Isolde’s rich voice spoke beside them, and Gwen whirled around. Isolde stood smiling at her in an opulent ball gown of deep plum with large garnet earrings. Her dark hair was glossy, and the white stripe at her temple gleamed brightly. She waved at the dancers. “This is perhaps unnecessary, but I do love dancing.”
She glided forward and picked up Gwen’s hands in both her own. Gwen stiffened.
“You saved the realm, Gwendolyn. You are truly a daughter any mother would be proud to have.”
Gwen sighed. Isolde’s affection could only be earned, never freely given. Gwen didn’t expect anything better, but it was disheartening all the same.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Gwen looked around the room. “Looks like everything is in order.”
“For now.” Corann stepped forward from behind Isolde. He looked Gwen up and down with his mouth twisted, as if a bitter taste lingered on his tongue. “The spell won’t last forever. There is no basis for our defenses beyond it.”
“Oh, Corann. So gloomy.” Isolde laughed lightly and touched his elbow. “Rejoice, and enjoy what we have. You should be grateful to Gwendolyn for repelling enemies on our borders and for bringing me back to health. This is a happy day.”
Corann bowed stiffly.
“Today is a happy day, but what of tomorrow? Excuse me, my lady, but I cannot celebrate when our happiness is only an illusion.” He turned on his heel and strode away into the crowd.
Gwen glanced at Aidan, who shrugged. Isolde brushed off Corann’s words with a wave of her hand.
“Don’t mind him. I am very grateful for what you’ve done for us. Is there anything I can do?”
“No, thanks.” Gwen backed away. She didn’t want anything from Isolde. Taking the locket had resulted in their most recent trials. There was nothing she needed
from her, and she didn’t want to risk a repeat of recent history. “We’ll go now. Take care of yourself, Isolde.”
“You too, my daughter.” Isolde smiled graciously at her as they backed through the door. “Safe travels.”
“That was odd,” Aidan said once they had walked down the steps.
“Did you expect anything better?”
“No, I meant about Corann. I wonder how long the restoration spell will last. Isolde didn’t seem that fussed.”
Gwen shrugged.
“We’ve done what we can. They have to figure it out now. They have a fighting chance.”
“That’s the spirit,” Aidan said with approval. “See? You don’t have to take on the weight of the world, at least not every day.” Aidan unstrapped his backpack from his horse, who nibbled nonchalantly at the grass. Gwen did the same and they watched the horses for a minute.
“Do you think they’ll make it back?” Gwen said.
“Hopefully. Eventually.” Aidan looked uncertain, then shook his head. “This is what Declan told us to do. Not our worry, right?”
“Right. Okay, I guess it’s portal time. Are you ready?”
“More than ready. After you, my lady.”
“One moment, if you will.” A familiar voice spoke from behind them. Gwen peered into the trees in the dim evening light.
“Loniel?”
“Hello, little birds,” Loniel said. The wild man from their first visit stood before them in the shadows. His mouth opened in a wide smile that was somehow not reassuring. A patchwork cape of uncountable shades of green over an open-necked shirt exposed the multitude of tattoos that Gwen knew covered his entire torso. They had first met Loniel on their previous visit to the Otherworld when he had rescued them from Isolde’s forest and brought them to his bonfire. Loniel had then contrived for Gwen and Aidan to receive their Breenan marks. His tawny eyes examined them. “I heard of your exploits, and watched carefully as this realm faded and then bloomed once again. You did a brave and wonderful thing, and the people of this realm are happier for it. For now.”
“That’s what Corann said. What’s going to happen? Why won’t the spell work for long?” An unpleasant thought occurred to Gwen. “Wait, will our friends stay healed?”
“Restoration of a body, from broken to whole, is a relatively simple matter for magic that powerful. But restoration of an entire realm, and maintenance of everything that the realm relies on magic to provide, well, that is no small feat. The Velvet Woods has been given a reprieve, but it will not be long before a new regime is needed. And, I fear, Isolde is not the woman to usher in that new regime.”
“What do you mean? Who else would?”
Loniel half-closed his eyes and gazed at her in consideration.
“Some would say that you are a natural choice for the succession. The queen has no other children, no other family.”
Gwen let out a laugh of shock.
“You’ve got to be kidding. Me?” She glanced at Aidan, who looked bewildered, then back to Loniel, who hadn’t reacted to her outburst. “But I’m half-human. I don’t belong here.”
Loniel gave her a sad smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“You can belong wherever you want to belong.” He pierced her with his golden eyes, and Gwen remembered that Loniel had been banished from his father’s world, and had had to live here in the Otherworld forevermore. She swallowed.
“I don’t want to be here.” She grabbed Aidan’s hand and held on firmly. “I want to be in the human world.”
“That is a different reason, and an understandable one. But Isolde will not last forever on a throne that is now supported by little more than air and illusion. I wished to warn you, and give you the choice you are entitled to.” His breath caught, and an arrested look passed over his face. “The locket, little bird. Do you have it still? May I see it?”
Gwen silently dug the golden necklace out of her pocket and held it out on her palm. Loniel did not take it, but touched the dried blood encrusted between the patterns of vines, blood spilled deliberately by Isolde many months ago. He backed away and smiled a secret smile. “Farewell. I am sure we will meet again one day.”
One moment Loniel was there. The next, only tranquil undergrowth lay before their gaze. Gwen shivered.
“Can we go home now?” she said to Aidan.
“Please.”
She pulled out magic from her warm core, thought of her father, and ripped open a portal. The welcome sight of a paved road greeted them.
“Britain, there you are,” Aidan said with feeling, and they stepped through the portal and back into their world.
Chapter 16
It was less than a mile’s walk to Amberlaine from the small village they had arrived in. Gwen relished the cool evening air and Aidan’s warm hand as they walked.
“Do you reckon Faolan knew?” Aidan said after a car rumbled past.
“Knew what?”
“About the spell not working for long, for Isolde’s realm. Perhaps that’s why he gave you the tiara.”
“That would make sense. Breenan never say what they mean, do they? Honestly, Loniel’s warning was the most straightforward I’ve ever heard him speak. But what does he expect me to do? Give up my life here and move to the Velvet Woods, and wear a ball gown and tiara for the rest of my life? The idea is so ridiculous, it’s laughable.”
“I agree. I don’t see why anyone should expect you to take over Isolde’s throne. I’m sure there is someone who would rather do it. Besides, hereditary monarchies are overrated. Perhaps they should try democracy for a change.”
Gwen laughed. Loniel’s words had shaken her, but Aidan’s common sense brought her back to reality.
“Could you imagine Isolde’s face if we tried to describe how voting works?”
***
The stars had begun to wink into existence above them when they approached Deirdre’s house. Gwen was apprehensive, and she looked down at her clothes.
“What are you going to say to your mum? I don’t even remember where my backpack went. My sleeping bag is still in my satchel, here, but that’s about it.”
“She doesn’t use it. It’ll be fine, don’t worry. We won’t give her time to notice.” He knocked on the door and opened it to peek his head in. “Mum?”
“Aidan!” Deirdre bustled into view. “You’re back. How was camping?”
“Oh, it was good fun.”
“What are you wearing?”
“Ah, something new.” He hurriedly pecked Deirdre on the cheek. “Mum, could I borrow your car to drop Gwen off at her aunt’s?”
“Oh. Yes, of course.” She rummaged on a side table by the door. Before she handed the keys over, she asked, “And where does Gwen’s aunt live, exactly?”
“She’s in Cambridge. Not far at all,” Gwen reassured her.
“All right. Mind yourself with the car, and I’m looking forward to hearing about your trip, Aidan.” She looked at her son with a hopeful expression.
“I’ll be right back, Mum. I promise.”
***
On the drive to Cambridge, Gwen turned to Aidan.
“Promise me you’ll spend some time with your mum before you fly out, okay?”
“Sure,” he said. He looked a little confused.
“I don’t need another reason to feel bad that you’re coming to Vancouver, that’s all.”
“Oh, Gwen. I thought we’d figured this out.”
“Just spend some time with her. She’ll like it.”
“I’d planned to, but thanks for the reminder. It’ll be strange when I’m gone—I usually have dinner with her a few times a week. And now I won’t see her until Christmas.” He looked pensive. “She’ll be all right, though. My aunt lives nearby. It’ll be fine.”
Gwen reached out to stroke his hair.
“Just leave on good terms, and don’t forget to call her lots. I promised her you would.”
Aidan looked at her askance.
“Teaming up on m
e already, are you?”
“Girl talk. Nothing you need to worry about.” She leaned back in the seat. “One more week, and you’ll be in Vancouver.”
“Yes, I will.” He pulled over in front of her aunt’s house. “A new chapter. A new life.” He put a tentative hand on her knee and she shivered pleasantly. Their eyes met. “And new kisses?”
“Those never get old,” she said, and leaned forward to put her lips to his.
Dear reader,
I hope you enjoyed reading Garden of Last Hope as much as I enjoyed writing it. Gwen and her friends had only just started their adventures in Mark of the Breenan, and I was keen to get them back to the Otherworld.
I have a favor to ask of you. If you’re so inclined, I’d love a review of Garden of Last Hope. If you loved it, if you hated it, if you’re somewhere in the middle—I want to know what you think. I write because Gwen and her friends won’t leave me alone, but I also write for you, dear reader. Reviews are difficult to come by, and you have the power to make or break a book. You can find my book list on Amazon.
If you enjoyed Gwen’s adventures in the Otherworld, keep your eye on my webpage or sign up for my newsletter at emmashelford.com where you can receive news of upcoming releases and sneak peeks.
Happy reading!
Emma Shelford
Acknowledgements
As always, my editors deserve a big thank you: Gillian Brownlee, Wendy and Chris Callendar, Jude Powell, and Lynda Powell. Christien Gilston worked his magic on the book cover. My husband, Steven Shelford, always deserves thanks for his support. And last but not least, I thank Oliver Shelford for being such a good napper and giving me time to write.
Realm
of the Forgotten
Emma Shelford
Breenan Series Box Set Page 45