by E. Menozzi
He held out the package to me, and I lifted it from his hands.
The dark-green velvet looked almost black and reminded me of the color of the forest at night. A cornflower-blue braided silk cord held the package together. I pulled at the knots, admiring the smooth feel of the tassels at each end. With the cord untied, I folded back the velvet to expose a wide, carved golden bracelet. I hesitated to touch it.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Go ahead, lift it up to the light,” he said. “You’ll be able to see the carvings better that way.”
“Where did you find this, dear?” Aunt Vivian asked.
“Oh, I guess I forgot to tell Liam about that storage room in the cellar. It will take him weeks to catalog all that. I don’t expect he’ll be pleased to know there’s more. But there are some treasures down there. Like this one.”
I held the bracelet up to the light and admired the intricate marks carved into the surface. I’d expected the metal to feel cool against my skin. Instead my fingertips tingled where they pressed against the smooth surface. What property of the gold could produce such an effect? One part of my mind churned, examining the possibilities, while the other marveled at the magnificent piece of history I held in my hands.
“It’s writing,” he said. “Well, not all of it. But those marks there.” He pointed out a section and slipped on his reading glasses. I rotated the band to see it better. “That’s ancient Celtic. I’ve forgotten the translation. It’s in there, somewhere.” He waved his hand at the stack of books and papers he’d set on the table. “But, if I’m not mistaken, this little bangle was a gift from William the Conqueror to the wife of my ancestor, Edric Sauvage. It’s said that his wife had hair the color of spun gold and was the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. I think old Willie must have been a bit soft on her, don’t you agree?”
“The Faerie Queen from the tapestry that hangs in the stairwell, right?” I asked. The pads of my fingers explored the rough edges surrounding the carvings.
“Yes, that’s the one.” He removed his reading glasses and folded them into his pocket, then gestured to me. “Go on, Eve, try it on. Let’s see how it looks.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.” I placed the bracelet down on the folded scrap of velvet in my hand and offered it back to Uncle Oscar, even though I longed to hold it again, to wear it.
“Nonsense. It’s a family heirloom, and I’d like you to have it.” He closed my fingers around the bundle and gently pushed my hand away.
I opened my fingers and gazed down at the bright-yellow gold. “It belongs in a museum, not on my wrist.” But, at the same time, I wanted to sit and study it for hours, translate the writing, examine every detail.
“Never fear, there will be plenty for the museums when I’m gone. They don’t need this little bauble as well.” He waved a hand at me. “Go on, then. Put it on.”
I lifted the bracelet and placed the velvet and cord on the table. When I slid the bracelet over my wrist, a sensation of warmth traveled up my arm, like I was dipping my arm into a bath. I stared down at my wrist, but the sensation disappeared, leaving only the expected feel of cool metal against my skin.
“Yes, just so.” Uncle Oscar smiled and puffed out his chest as he slipped his hands into his pockets.
“I agree, dear. It looks lovely on her,” Aunt Vivian said.
I held my arm out and admired the beautiful craftsmanship wrapped around my thin wrist. “But it’s so special. I’d be afraid to wear it. What if something happened to it? I’d feel terrible.”
Uncle Oscar shook his head. “It’s survived this long. I don’t think there’s anything you can do to harm it.”
Aunt Vivian smiled and clasped her hands at her chest. “And you can wear it when you go out this evening.”
“Do we have plans for this evening?” Uncle Oscar asked.
“No, dear. We don’t, but Eve does.” She gave Uncle Oscar a quick kiss on the cheek and then walked over to the low table where she’d left the teapot and scones. “She met a charming young man in town this morning, and he’s taking her to dinner.”
“Well, then. I’m glad you’re making friends.” Uncle Oscar followed Aunt Vivian toward the sitting area.
Aunt Vivian looked up from pouring the tea to wink at me. I lingered for a moment longer, admiring the bracelet. Liam hadn’t seen this yet. I wondered what he’d think of my uncle giving me a centuries-old bracelet to wear about town. He’d probably hate it.
“Are you coming, Eve? The tea’s getting cold.” Aunt Vivian and Uncle Oscar were already seated in the armchairs Liam and I had been sitting in last night.
“Yes, Auntie.” I pushed the memories of last night out of my head and focused on my uncle. This was my first chance to talk with him about history, and I wasn’t going to waste it.
“Uncle Oscar, I’ve been reading a lot about the woman in the tapestry.” I sunk into one of the armchairs and helped myself to tea and scones. “Which of the stories do you think is true?”
He leaned back in his chair and took a sip of tea. “According to my family, Edric had been out hunting and came across a cabin in the woods. Through the window, he spotted the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She was dancing with her sisters. He rushed in, captured her, and took her back to his manor.” He paused and scratched his beard. “This was back in the middle of the eleventh century. Things were a bit less civilized then, you understand.”
I smirked. “I suppose that’s how he got the name Sauvage?”
“Quite.” He chuckled. “Though, come to think of it, I think he might have earned that name before he kidnapped his wife… He’s known to have been a superb hunter.”
“So you think it’s true that he kidnapped Godda and convinced her to marry him?”
“Well, not immediately. The stories handed down say she observed him for several days and wouldn’t speak or eat. Finally, just as he was growing desperate, she spoke. She told him she was a Faerie Queen and he’d stolen her away from her people, but she’d decided he was worthy of her love. She promised to stay with him so long as he never said an unkind word about her sisters or her kin. If he ever did, she would leave him. He agreed, of course, and they were married.
“They lived happily for many years, had a son, and were frequent guests of the king, who thought Godda to be the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. But one day Edric forgot his promise. In a jealous rage, he said she spent too much time away, with her family. And that was it. Godda just disappeared. He searched for her as long as he lived but never found her. They say he died from a broken heart.”
“That sounds like a fairy tale, Uncle.”
He nodded. “Quite.”
“I still don’t believe it. I think she was just a beautiful human woman, and she’s buried out there in some unmarked grave like so many other women of her time.” My fingers strayed to the gold band around my wrist, caressing it as I spoke.
Uncle Oscar nodded. “I understand. I found it a bit hard to believe at first, myself. But I’ve reason to believe there’s some truth to the stories.”
“Based on your research?” Something about that tapestry haunted me. My uncle giving me this bracelet made me even more determined to discover the truth of her life, and her disappearance.
He placed his teacup on the table and stood. “Yes. But I have to admit, the details in the stories handed down in my family have done the most to convince me.” He scanned his shelves and selected a small, dusty leather-bound volume with no markings on the binding. “This is an account book kept by the steward of Edric’s estate.” Then he selected a thin hardbound book. “And this text is from a series of lectures I did, years ago. You might find something interesting here.”
I reached for the books he offered me and ran my hand over the covers, thrilled to learn more about this house and its original owner and the mystery surrounding his beautiful wife. “Uncle Oscar.” I hesitated, stari
ng down at the book covers as I formed the question I dared to ask. “Is there anything I could do to help you? You know, while Liam’s gone?” If I didn’t ask, then he couldn’t turn me down. But now it was out there, and he had the power to squash my dreams.
He studied me for a moment before responding. “Is that something you would enjoy?”
I nodded. “Yes. Very much.”
“All right, then. If you’re sure, and if Liam’s not back tomorrow, come see me in the morning, and we’ll find something for you.” He beamed at me, and I soaked it in. Things were finally starting to improve for me.
The return trip to the cottage was easier than the trip to the Falls. Already I felt more control over my magic and longed to stretch the feline muscles of my animal form one more time before returning to Lydbury. I transformed, prowling across the short distance across the clearing to where Arabella stood sentry outside the cottage, not far from where I’d left her.
“I almost didn’t recognize you in that form,” she said. “Are you trying to draw attention to yourself? Mountain lions aren’t exactly common around here.”
I returned to my Fae form and shook my head. “Can’t win, can I? Use my magic, get a lecture. Don’t use my magic, still get a lecture.”
“Sheesh. Someone is a little testy. Had a nice chat with old Cahal, then, I take it?” Arabella smirked.
I ran a hand through my hair and tucked the long strands behind the points of my ears. “That man is impossible. I don’t know why I bother.”
“Sometimes I say the same thing about you, cuz.” Arabella leaned back against the cottage wall.
I glared at her. I was nothing like my sire. “He won’t help.”
She shrugged. “Didn’t think he would. But it was worth asking.”
“How is she?” I lifted my chin toward Mother’s room at the back of the cottage.
“Same. Hanging on.” She frowned. I could tell she was worried. Protecting Fiona was her primary responsibility, but I knew she cared just as deeply for my mother.
“Good. I need to get back.” I stretched. It had been nice to use magic freely and let down my glamour. With any luck, I’d be returning soon with an artifact for my mother to destroy.
“I thought you’d say something like that. But even if you return tonight, tomorrow is the last day before the solstice.” She flexed her hands before curling them into fists.
“I know. I have a new plan.” I held back my grin, knowing how much she’d approve of this new plan.
She raised her eyebrows and pushed off the wall. “Dare I ask?”
“I’m going to use my magic.”
She cocked her head to one side. “Something Cahal said changed your mind?”
“Of course not.” I crossed my arms. “I don’t need him—or you, for that matter—to tell me that we’re running out of time. I made a promise to you and Fiona. I plan to keep it.”
“If you reveal yourself to them—”
I cut her off before she could finish that thought. “I know. I’ll find a way to do it without them knowing.”
Fiona appeared in the doorway. She’d probably heard us talking. “Liam, you’re back. Your mother is asking for you.”
I took a step toward the door, and Arabella grabbed my arm.
“Be careful,” she said. “You don’t know who else is watching that place.”
“You were the one who wanted me to use my magic in the first place, Ari.”
Her grip tightened around my arm. “Well, I agreed to your plan because I thought you had a point.”
My eyes went wide, and I turned my face to Fiona. “You heard that, didn’t you? I think Ari just said I was right.”
Fiona laughed.
“Oh, please.” Arabella released my arm in a huff.
“Mark this day in history, Fi,” I said.
“Noted. There will be plaques in the Great Hall and bards will sing of this day.” She let loose another deep-throated laugh.
Her laugh was infectious, and I joined her, only to turn and find Arabella glaring at us from a few meters away. I ran at her and tackled her in a hug. We tumbled and transformed. Twisting in a playful scramble of fur and fangs. Her wolf growling and my lion snarling, both of us snapping and swatting until I managed to get my jaws locked around her neck and push her to the ground with a paw.
I released my hold on her and licked the fur on her head. Score one for me. It had been so long since we’d sparred like this, and longer still since I’d won. She growled and yipped.
Fiona’s laughter brought us back. We returned to our human forms and I threw an arm around Arabella’s shoulders as we paced back to the cottage.
“Thanks for that,” Fiona said as we approached. “Watching that almost felt like old times. And I can’t tell you how good it feels to laugh.”
“I should go see my mother and then be on my way,” I said.
“I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon,” Fiona said.
“I’ll return soon. And we’ll destroy Edric together.” I shot a glance at Arabella, who appeared to still be sore over my victory. “Or maybe we’ll just sit back and watch Ari do it.”
“Just give me a chance and he’s dust.” Arabella pounded her fist into her open hand.
A thin voice echoed down the hallway, and I frowned. “Coming, Mother,” I called down the hall.
Sadness filled Fiona’s eyes and Arabella just nodded. I turned and walked down the hall toward my mother’s candlelit room.
“Liam, my love,” she said, holding out her hand to me.
“Yes, Mother.” I sat by her side.
“I’m stronger than I look,” she said. “But you need to hurry. There isn’t much time. I’ll hold on as long as I’m able.”
“You deserve your rest, Mother. You’ve served us well.” I bowed my head and kissed her hand.
“You sound so much like your sire.” She ran her fingers through my hair, and I realized that my mane of wavy brown hair wasn’t that dissimilar to the messy white mop surrounding my sire’s head.
“I’ll be back soon,” I promised. Silently, I begged the Ancients for more time. This wouldn’t be goodbye. Not yet.
“Be safe,” she said. “And hurry.”
I nodded and stepped back from the bed. There wasn’t any time to waste. Confident enough to exercise my magic, I skipped the train and conjured myself directly to the dark corner of town where I’d left my motorcycle, hoping no one would be watching when I appeared out of thin air.
8
I had been staring into the wardrobe so long that my mind had started to wander off, and all I could think was that everything I’d packed was terrible. A knock at my door snapped me back to reality. I left the wardrobe open and crossed my room to open the door.
“Hello, dear,” Aunt Vivian said when I peeked my head out into the hallway. “I just wanted to check on you and see if you needed anything.”
“I don’t know what I was thinking when I packed.” I sighed. “I have nothing to wear.”
“Now, now. I’m sure you have something suitable.”
I opened the door wider and waved her inside. She crossed the floor and stood where I’d been standing, facing the open wardrobe. She ran her hand over the hangers, then began sifting through my clothes. “Where did you say he’s taking you, dear?” she asked over her shoulder. She’d paused on the only fancy dress I’d brought with me.
“I suggested we just go to the pub. He says there’s one near here that’s very good.”
“Oh, yes! The Frog and Pêche! It’s not far, walkable on a nice evening, if you don’t mind a bit of a hike.” She frowned at the dress. “But this is a bit too much for a date at the pub. Let’s see.”
Watching her pour over my wardrobe, I realized I’d reached a new low in my dating game. Who lets their elderly aunt pick out their outfit before going on a first date?
She
paused on a tight black sweater. “Hmm…” She slipped the soft cashmere off the hanger and held it up. “Yes, this will do. With jeans, and those boots of yours. The ones you were wearing when you arrived. And I have a lovely scarf that will pull it all together.” She handed me the sweater. “Get dressed. I’ll be right back.”
I was sitting on the bed, zipping up my boots, when she returned. The scarf she held out to me was black and gray with flecks of gold thread running throughout. She draped it expertly around my neck and spun me to face my reflection in the mirror.
“Lovely,” she said.
“But what will I do with my hair?”
“Allow me, dear. I’m a bit of an expert at making something of our hair.” I sat on a low bench near the end of the bed and let her deft and nimble fingers braid and twist my thick, glossy dark locks. When I turned back to the mirror, I sucked in a breath. She’d created the effect of a crown with a French braid that skimmed my hairline and swept back into an elegant twist at the nape of my neck.
“Auntie, you’re amazing,” I said, patting at my hair and not quite believing what I was seeing in the mirror.
“Well, all those faculty dinners gave me plenty of practice.” She patted her own short pixie cut. “Until I couldn’t take it anymore and chopped it all off into something more sensible for a woman my age.”
“Oh, Auntie.” I kissed her cheek. “Daddy may have got the height in the family, but you got all the beauty.”
She chuckled. “Good thing, too,” she said. “The last thing we needed was for your father to be tall, brilliant, and beautiful.”
“You’re brilliant, too, Auntie. You just chose a different path.”
“Yes.” The smile fell from her face. “As you must choose yours, dear.”
The doorbell rang, and she smiled at me. “Ready?”
I nodded. Aunt Vivian gave my hands a squeeze and slipped out of my room. I grabbed my coat but left my hat and mittens behind. I’d suffer a bit from the cold, but I didn’t want to be reminded of Liam tonight. Then I shut off the light and followed Aunt Vivian down the hall to the top of the stairs. I could already hear Uncle Oscar’s voice in the foyer below, welcoming Nigel. I peeked over the railing and caught a glimpse of Nigel’s dark hair and breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed he’d traded his wool trousers for black jeans.
