‘What have you named him?’ Gemma asked, tentatively taking Mistral’s soundly sleeping son from her proffered arms.
‘Mistral has become uncharacteristically reticent over that one.’ Phantasm sighed before Mistral could reply. ‘Apparently my godson’s name will only be revealed at his Naming Ceremony next week.’
‘He’s going to be named after me.’ Samson whispered to her confidently. ‘Mistral just doesn’t know how to break it to the twins.’
Gemma nodded seriously and looked down at the peaceful baby in her arms, ‘Samson is a good name. If we have a son I think we should call him that.’
For possibly the first time in his life Samson was completely at a loss for words.
‘A toast!’ Leo called loudly from the balcony and raised his goblet. ‘To the son and heir of the De Winter name! And,’ he paused to smile, displaying a rare flash of humanity, ‘to the proud parents of a healthy son. I know not of two more deserving of such a blessing. In the life we have chosen death is a part of the very air we breathe, but today we celebrate a new life and I am deeply honoured to share in their happiness.’
‘Are you crying?’ Brutus muttered disbelieving. ‘Oh no, you are! Why do I always end up next to you when this happens? Where’s Mage De Winter or the twins … or anyone–’
‘Shut-up!’ Mistral sniffed while he placed an arm awkwardly around her shoulders.
‘Nice dress.’ Xerxes murmured, sidling up beside her. ‘Is it my turn for a cuddle now?’
‘Did I mention to you Xerxes.’ Mistral said, disengaging herself from beneath Brutus’ arm, ‘what a surprisingly good aim with the longbow Marietta was during the battle? I’m not joking, really ... she could hit even the smallest of targets.’
Xerxes blanched and threw a disconcerted glance at Marietta cooing over the baby held in Gemma’s arms.
‘Looking broody brother.’ Brutus warned. ‘I think your bachelor days are numbered.’
‘I think I need another drink.’ Xerxes responded faintly and hurried away to refill his goblet.
‘Poor Xerxes.’ Mistral laughed, watching him pour a goblet of wine and down it in one swallow. ‘You know that Marietta will never give up on him don’t you?’
Brutus shook his head incredulously, ‘I know! But I just don’t get it! He’s s gambler and a warrior and if that wasn’t enough to send any woman with half an ounce of sense running a mile, he’s completely unfaithful! He’d rather be in the tavern or another woman’s bed than at home, but she just can’t seem to get enough of him! Why?’
‘She sees him as the ultimate challenge.’ Mistral shrugged, then added. ‘Which is something she definitely isn’t. There’s not a lot in Marietta’s head, and what little brainpower she has is mostly taken up by thinking about frivolous rubbish; the colour of her dress and that sort of thing. To be honest, they’re pretty well suited.’
‘Harsh, but probably true.’ Brutus laughed.
‘Oh definitely true I assure you!’ Mistral responded with a laugh. ‘I’ve Seen it!’
Across the other side of the room Samson was watching Gemma holding his godson with a wistful look on his face, ‘Are you sure you won’t marry me?’ He asked. ‘You only have to do it once … I won’t make you keep on marrying me … and you never know, you might actually like it.’
Gemma smiled at him but shook her head.
‘Please?’ He continued in a softer voice. ‘I swear not to let you down this time.’
Gemma sighed and looked at the baby in her arms for a moment before replying in a hesitant voice, ‘If I say I’ll think about it, will you promise not to mention it ever again?’
‘Does that mean we’re engaged?’ Samson grinned.
‘No, Samson it does not!’ Gemma said firmly but he was already gone, moving excitedly around the room to break the news.
‘Congratulations.’ Mistral commiserated, relieving Gemma of her son as he began to stir.
‘I – I didn’t agree to marry him!’ Gemma stuttered.
‘Samson thinks you did.’ Mistral said looking pointedly at Samson’s beaming face while the twins took turns to shake his hand. ‘Are you going to disappoint him?’
‘I would never want to hurt Samson!’ Gemma bridled.
‘Then it’s like I said. Congratulations.’ Mistral smiled grimly and took her son to meet his uncle, the Divinus of the Ri.
Stepping out onto the balcony Mistral could see that Leo and Fabian were involved in a discussion that shouldn’t be interrupted so she showed her son the view she had spent so many hours admiring. Cradling him in her arms, Mistral identified the trees that formed the thickly wooded slopes, now drenched in the golden glow of autumn sunshine. His eyes followed her pointing finger while she drew a line from the trees up to the grey might of the Western Range, listening as she named each of the towering pinnacles that jutted up into the cloudless blue sky.
‘Yes it is isn’t it,’ she agreed softly. ‘I thought that the first time I saw it.’
Feeling Fabian’s arms wrap around her she leaned her head back onto his shoulder and looked up to meet his curious gaze.
‘Our son thinks the view is beautiful,’ she said in answer to his unspoken question.
Fabian’s eyes widened briefly then slowly closed, ‘Please,’ he sighed wearily, ‘please, tell me you two will actually have audible conversations some of the time, or I’m going to become extremely confused.’
‘We will, once he can talk, which will be in about a two months, I think –’
Fabian’s face clouded, he had still not completely come to terms with the phenomenal rate at which his son would develop. Mistral could hear his anxieties but didn’t know how to assuage them without creating more. The silent bond that existed between her and their son defied explanation, even by someone far more adept at expressing themselves than her. If she even attempted to try and describe it, she would only end up making Fabian think that his son was even more of an oddity than he already did.
A voice murmured in Mistral’s head, instantly quelling all her troubled thoughts. Smiling in response to her son’s request she turned to place him in Fabian’s arms. ‘He wants his father.’
Fabian gazed at his son with fresh wonder, marvelling at every detail perfect in miniature right down to fingernails no bigger than fragments of shell adorning the tips of each tiny finger. Tucking the swaddling away to stroke a finger gently against one soft cheek Fabian gasped when his son gripped him with a startling strength. His eyes widened then became vacant as he experienced firsthand his son’s exceptional gift. Then, like the sun appearing from behind a rain cloud, Fabian smiled with complete understanding.
‘Yes, I see now,’ he murmured, then raised an eyebrow and nodded. ‘But, of course.’
Kissing Mistral gently before he complied with his son’s request, Fabian turned away from her and walked to where Leo was finishing a conversation with the twins at the far end of the balcony. Mistral proudly watched him present their son and was surprised when Leo took him from Fabian’s arms and raised him up in the air so that they could regard each other face-to-face, as equals. Her surprise swiftly changed to astonishment when Leo smiled at his nephew; not the controlled tight smile he occasionally displayed, or even a polite greeting, but one filled with genuine warmth and affection.
‘Has a thaw broken out on the iceberg that is our Divinus?’ Phantom murmured softly in her ear as he and his brother appeared quietly on either side of her.
Mistral nodded mutely, not trusting the emotion constricting her throat to allow her to speak. Keeping her eyes downcast to hide her expression she suddenly noticed rolls of parchment in each of the twins’ hands, the broken wax seal was stamped with the mark of the Ri, the emblem she had helped design.
‘Oh brothers!’ She whispered, looking up with shining eyes. ‘Well done!’
‘Thank you.’ Phantasm responded coolly, but his brother was typically less reserved and gave her a dazzling grin.
‘Say hello to the new
est Magnate members! You may bow.’
‘But of course.’ Mistral grinned and swept her hand across her body in a mock bow. ‘Hello, Master Argyle.’
Phantom’s face immediately fell, ‘Er, I think we might disregard tradition in this instance, after all, we are sharing one role, so we don’t really warrant a title each.’
‘Will you be leaving the village then?’ Mistral suddenly asked, realising with pang that she would miss the nights she and Fabian had spent sat around their cosy kitchen table sharing food, wine and talk.
‘What? And move into a tower room with the Divinus conveniently just down the corridor where he can knock on our door any time of day or night? No thanks!’
‘We will be using the tower room as a base for business and meetings, not to live in.’ Phantasm replied more tactfully then smiled. ‘Besides, there‘d be nowhere for our godson to stay. He has his own room at our house.’
‘Good, because I want you to look after him while I go on the vampire hunt next month.’ Noting the “oh no you are not” look on Phantasm’s face, Mistral added quickly. ‘So, who got the second post then?’
‘It’s being offered to Imperato … this afternoon actually. The Divinus has requested that we accompany him to visit the tribe when we leave here.’ Phantom replied.
‘I would suggest that you use your gift to inform Imperato, but I’m sure he already knows that Leo is coming, what time he will be arriving and the purpose of his visit.’ Mistral sighed then felt a jolt of guilt. ‘Damn!’
‘What?’ the twins promptly chorused.
‘Er, please could you tell Alyssa that she’s a grandmother now?’ Mistral asked worriedly. ‘Oh! And you’d better invite them to this Naming Ceremony thing next week too –’
‘Relax Mistral, it’s all been taken care of.’ Phantasm said, smiling at her almost nervous expression. ‘They were invited months ago when we booked it.’
‘Why am I not surprised?’ Mistral said then eyed them both suspiciously. ‘In fact, I’m willing to bet you even had a bed booked in the Infirmary for me didn’t you?’
‘Of course not Mistral.’ Phantasm said smoothly.
‘Really?’ Mistral asked, ignoring him and giving Phantom a piercing look.
‘Er, we might have made a slight reservation on your favourite bed by the window.’ Phantom admitted, wilting under the intensity of her glare.
‘Oh I bet you did! I can see Serenity now, arranging flowers in a vase on the bedside table! In fact, I bet you even sent some up there!’
‘Of course we didn’t!’ Phantom bristled. ‘You hate flowers!’
‘Well at least you got one thing right! Infirmary indeed!’ Mistral snorted.
‘Yes Mistral, the Infirmary!’ Phantom snapped, ignoring his brother’s warning look. ‘You were supposed to provide our godson with a safe arrival in clean, warm surroundings not a dirty forest floor in the middle of the night! We had everything prepared last night, only you went and wandered off!’
Mistral raised an eyebrow at him, ‘Prepared? And just how did you know I was going to give birth last night?’
Phantom waved a hand dismissively, ‘Cain realised you were in the early stages of labour yesterday. He spoke with us and Mage De Winter while you were giggling with Mage Grapple by the paddock, which you still need to explain by the way – and we informed Serenity who spent most of the evening in the Infirmary waiting for you. It was all perfect until you went and changed the location of our godson’s arrival slightly, so slightly that we had to find you first!’
‘That’s one hell of a dog you’ve got.’ Cain remarked, strolling out from the living room to join in the conversation. ‘If he hadn’t turned up and howled his face off outside your front door none of us would’ve known you’d left.’
‘He’s the best.’ Mistral said, smiling warmly at Prospero, drooling into Brutus’ lap and watching him eat a leg of chicken.
‘I think it’s time we left now brothers.’ Cain said to the twins. ‘It’s been a long night and Mistral will need her rest, although I don’t think that their son is going to behave like your average newborn.’ He added with a thoughtful glance at Mistral’s son, asleep in Fabian’s arms once more. ‘Now, I’ll be back tomorrow to see you Mistral, but there a couple of things we should go over in private before I leave.’
‘Are there?’
Ignoring her obvious reluctance, Cain pulled her from the balcony and almost physically hauled her up the stairs to the gallery bedroom to lecture her on topics that made Mistral press both hands to her face to hide her embarrassment.
‘Oh thank heavens for that.’ Mistral sighed and leaned against the door when she had closed it behind the twins and Leo, the last to leave.
Smiling her favourite smile, the one that made her lose all sense of reality, Fabian walked over to take her hands in his and lead her to the sofa. Sitting down he pulled her onto his lap where she curled up, revelling in the fact that she could now bend and move easily again.
Pressing his lips against her ear Fabian murmured in a voice of satin, ‘Our son is asleep in his crib and the house is ours again, so now perhaps you would like to share with me the idea you have for his name?’
Mistral laid her head against his shoulder while she considered how to broach that particular subject, she knew what she wanted to call him, what was right … but whether Fabian would agree to it or not was another matter entirely.
‘Of course I will,’ she began in a hesitant whisper. ‘But first I need to tell you everything that happened last night –’
The following Saturday dawned bright and clear with the first crisp frost of the season touching the exposed pasture land above the Valley. In their small village house Mistral finished feeding her son and settled him back into his crib, smiling down at him and rocking him off to sleep before she washed and dressed quickly; wanting to be ready before the knock she knew was coming sounded on their front door. She had just started cooking breakfast when a light rapping announced the visitor she had been dreading.
‘Brother,’ she greeted Phantasm curtly and strode back into the kitchen to continue preparing Fabian’s breakfast, ignoring the two parcels in his hands.
‘A gift for our godson.’ Phantasm said, ignoring her obviously unreceptive mood and following her into the kitchen to place one onto the table.
‘Yes, and it’s a lovely, thank you.’ Mistral replied tersely, concentrating on the eggs she was frying. ‘But you can take the other one and stick it right –’
‘Good morning Mage De Winter.’ Phantasm said pleasantly as Fabian entered the kitchen.
‘Good morning Phantasm.’ Fabian replied, walking over to pull Mistral into his arms and whisper something in her ear that instantly transformed her grumpy expression into a coy smile. Kissing her, he took the plate of eggs and bacon she offered and pulled out a chair at the kitchen table. ‘Would you care to join me Phantasm? I am sure that Mistral could make something for you.’
‘Thank you but no, I’ve already eaten.’ Phantasm replied politely and moved over to stand beside Mistral with the second parcel tucked threateningly under his arm. ‘I’m only here to help Mistral prepare for today’s Naming Ceremony.’
‘Most considerate of you, I am sure Mistral will be delighted.’ Fabian said with absolute sincerity and turned his attention to his breakfast, leaving Mistral glaring daggers at Phantasm over her shoulder while he pushed her out of the kitchen.
‘Don’t you need a hand getting everything ready for today Fabian?’ Mistral tried in a desperate attempt to avoid being force-dressed yet again.
‘No thank you Mistral, everything has been taken care of.’ Fabian called back from the kitchen.
‘Nice try, but there’s no getting out of it.’ Phantasm said smugly. ‘Now please get a move on!’
‘This is the last time I ever let you do this.’ Mistral growled through gritted teeth while he chivvied her up the stairs.
Capitalising on Phantasm being temporarily distracted b
y the sight of his godson asleep in his crib, Mistral swiftly kicked the previous day’s discarded clothes under the bed before he could nag her about not using the wardrobe again.
‘I swear he’s grown since I last saw him!’ Phantasm said softly.
‘You think?’ Mistral responded absently while she made an effort to straighten the tangled sheets on the bed.
‘I’m certain of it.’ Phantasm murmured thoughtfully. ‘And that was only Wednesday … are you measuring him?’
‘Am I doing what to him?’ Mistral asked, finally paying some attention to the conversation now the worst of the mess had been hidden.
‘Measuring him.’ Phantasm said, and wandered over to place the parcel down onto the hastily made bed. ‘He is one of a kind after all, and you don’t really know how fast he’s going to grow. It would be helpful to have a record.’
‘Well, Cain’s been weighing him every day to make sure he’s gaining weight, but I don’t see how measuring him and keeping a record could be helpful to anything.’ Mistral said, giving him a perplexed look.
‘For the next one Mistral!’ Phantasm said in a voice that suggested it was blatantly clear why she should treat her son like some prize plant she was growing. ‘Then we could have clothes ready for every stage of growth –’
‘I absolutely refuse to let you dress my son up like he’s a doll or something!’
‘Don’t be stupid Mistral!’ Phantasm snapped and walked back over to the crib to gaze down at his godson again. ‘He’s going to be a warrior, not some fancy robe-clad moron from the Council!’
‘Is he?’
‘Of course he is.’ Phantasm said and reached into the crib to stroke his godson’s sleeping face. ‘He’s the son of you and Mage De Winter. How could he be anything else but a warrior?’
‘Not destiny again.’ Mistral muttered and rolled her eyes.
The Seer Page 94