by TJ Green
Stan beckoned him to the stage again, and Rupert and Charlotte swiftly moved to either side of him, wrapping their hands around his arms as if he’d try to escape. Rueben was taller than Rupert and he looked down at him, amused. “Don’t worry, I’m not about to run off! Stan, now would be a good time to mention donations!”
While Stan informed the crowd about the charity requirements to participate, the other members of the Court of Fools gathered around Reuben, and even though he knew it was all in fun, being surrounded by the unnervingly macabre jesters and a jeering crowd gave him a feeling of discomfort he hadn’t expected.
The Royal Fool led the way, making a path through the crowd with her acrobatics, followed by the Grandmaster swishing his fake sword, and then the Lord and Lady of Misrule. In minutes Reuben was trapped in the stocks, his head and arms pinned, as a long line formed. He could see El and Alex on the edge of the crowd and he winked to reassure them. Rupert gave the stocks one last check and a shake, and in seconds, Reuben was being pelted mercilessly with rotten vegetables.
Three
Avery could not believe her ears.
“Reuben’s been what?” she exclaimed, looking at Dan in horror.
“Pelted with rotten vegetables. But it was just a bit of fun,” he said, trying to reassure her. “Rupert was a pompous ass, but that’s nothing new.”
Dan had returned to Happenstance Books after his lunch break and was telling Sally and Avery the news, but he wasn’t the only one. It seemed most of White Haven had been crowded around the square, and everyone was chattering about the Court of Fools.
“Poor Reuben,” Sally said, appalled. “He didn’t deserve that!”
Dan looked at her like she’d grown two heads. “He volunteered! And people had to donate to charity to participate. It was a good idea.”
“He said he’d do that last night if it came up. Was the crowd good humoured?” Avery asked Dan.
“For the most part. A few took to jeering, usually those too cheap to give to charity, or there’d have been a longer queue, I reckon. But Reuben was fine. I could hear a lot of people talking about who they’d grass to the Confessor.” Dan’s cheerful countenance disappeared. “I must admit, I really didn’t like Charlotte…which is unfair, I know, but she seemed a bit malicious.”
“Well, she is Rupert’s wife,” Sally reminded him, ever unforgiving.
“I think a large part was the makeup. I certainly wouldn’t want to meet them in a dark alley,” he added with a shudder. “It would probably give your kids nightmares, Sal.”
Avery couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, even though Dan had done nothing but reassure her. To cheer herself up, she said, “Forget the Court of Fools. When do your book readings start, Dan?”
“This afternoon.” He smoothed his t-shirt down so she could see the slogan properly, and she groaned.
“‘Don’t judge a book by its movie.’ Oh, Dan. They really don’t get any better, do they?”
“How dare you,” he said, mock-offended. “I’m going to go and set up my area now. Today I will read from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, so you better have mince pies ready, Sally.”
“I always do. You go and get started, and I’ll be with you soon.” As Dan threaded through the stacks to the far corner of the shop, Sally turned to Avery. “I know you’re worried…you can’t hide it from me. And I think you’re right to be.”
“Do you?” Avery was so relieved she could have hugged her. “I thought I was going mad! I’ve just got a bad feeling I can’t shake, and I’m beginning to think it’s just because of Rupert.”
Sally hugged her. “I trust your instincts more than anyone, Avery. Do me a favour and add to our protection, would you? I can always sense it afterwards, and it makes me feel all snug.”
“All right. You finish working with Dan, and then I’ll head to the back room to do it.”
Avery eyed the shop as Sally joined Dan, its comforting familiarity soothing her, and she inhaled the Frankincense incense she was burning. She just needed to keep busy. There was plenty to do around the shop—shelves to restock, including the witchcraft books, as well as Briar’s candles and El’s seasonal jewellery that also sold well. For the next hour she focussed on restocking and serving customers, enjoying their cheer and excited chatter, especially when the reading nook began to fill up.
“This is looking promising,” Sally said, sweeping her hair up into a ponytail as she prepared to hand out her ever-present mince pies. “Look at how many people are here!”
“Everyone is obviously feeling festive, especially after the lunchtime shenanigans!” Avery headed to the window to look out to the street. It was already growing darker, and the skies were crowding with heavy clouds again. “I wonder if we’ll have snow later.”
Sally stood next to her, pursing her lips. “Hopefully not until the wassailing is over. It might put people off.”
Avery laughed. “A snowy walk could be the perfect thing! I’ve never seen Ravens’ Wood with snow. I bet it’s magical.”
“True. Especially with mulled cider in hand.” She frowned as she looked down the street. “Is that Gabe?”
Avery didn’t have to look hard to spot him. He towered over everyone else, his broad shoulders and dark good looks were eye-catching. “I think he’s been shopping. Look at all his bags!” Sally didn’t answer. She was watching Gabe, mesmerised, and Avery asked, “Are you okay?”
“He looks spectacular, doesn’t he?” she murmured. “So majestic! He’s so…” She stumbled over her words. “So beautifully calm—like he’s carrying Christmas.”
“He’s doing what?” Avery asked, thinking Sally had gone mad.
She had never heard Sally talk about another man admiringly. Her husband, Sam, was her everything. Although, she had to admit that watching Gabe now, he did have a certain aura about him. And everyone else seemed to notice, too. Heads were turning as he walked past, and Avery tried to recall if that was normal for Gabe. His height and good looks naturally drew attention, but today there was something different.
As he crossed the street beneath the blue-white light of one of the large angel decorations, Avery gasped. She could see Gabe’s wings. Huge and magnificent, they folded behind him from his shoulders to his feet. And then in a blink, they’d disappeared again.
Sally clutched her arm and whispered dramatically, “Did you see his wings? I want them to come back!”
Avery could hardly breathe. “You saw them, too?”
Avery couldn’t turn away, and she saw Gabe hesitate as he stepped onto the pavement and noticed everyone’s stares. He smiled awkwardly, nodding to the watchers, and then a small child broke free of her mother’s clutch and threw herself at Gabe’s legs. She watched wide-eyed as he extricated himself and then hurried to her shop as if he’d spotted salvation. In seconds he was inside and scanning the room.
Quickly seeing them, he headed to their side. “Something weird just happened.” He smoothed his hair and checked his clothes. “Do I look odd?”
“You look magnificent,” Sally said weakly.
“Well, er, thank you?” he said, his voice rising uncertainly. He realised other customers were staring too and lowered his voice. “Avery? What is happening?”
“I have no idea, but maybe you should come with me,” she almost squeaked. Up close, there was a nimbus of light around him. She virtually dragged him across the shop, dazed stares following them, until they were safely in the back room. She leaned against the door as if to stop hordes of people from following. “Gabe, I’m not exactly sure what’s going on, but you’re sort of glowing!”
“I’m what?” He examined himself. “No, I’m not!”
“Honestly, you are. You have this aura of, well… Sally was right. Magnificence.” He was in the centre of the room, and everything paled into insignificance beside him. The only light came from the fairy lights strung across the cupboards, and in the gloom, she saw his wings again. “I can see your wing
s. In fact, we saw them as you crossed the street under the Christmas lights.”
“What?” he almost roared as his head whipped around to check behind him. “How? They’re hidden!”
“I don’t know! It’s not like I can see them properly,” she tried to explain. “It’s as if they’re transparent—just visible in certain light. Like ghost wings,” she said, fumbling to find the right words.
“Ghost wings?” For a second, he froze, and then started to pace up and down. “This is not possible! Is that why people are staring? A child threw herself at my legs!”
“We noticed. You’re kind of mesmerising.” Even as she was saying it, she tried to turn away from him, but he was like a magnet. His thick dark hair, olive skin, and dark eyes were compelling, and combined with his physique, he really did seem like a superhuman.
“What in Herne’s horns am I supposed to do?” He glared at her. “You’re the witch. Tell me how this is happening!”
“I don’t know!” she insisted. “Maybe someone has put a spell on you?” She flicked the light on, and in the full glare of the overhead bulb his wings vanished again. “Okay, so it seems like a half-light makes them visible. I can’t see them now. And your glow has diminished, too.”
“Avery! I have to get home! It’s getting dark out there—and there are hundreds of Christmas lights around!” he pointed out. “My SUV is parked all the way down the street. Can’t you do something?”
“Don’t you have a type of glamour, like Shadow?”
He looked at her like she’d gone mad. “Not really, and the one I have on my wings currently isn’t working!”
“Okay,” she said, thinking quickly. “I can cast a glamour spell on you that should last until you get home. But I suggest you don’t linger.”
“No shit!” He started to pace again. “What could have done this? How can I control it if I can’t even see that it’s happening?” And then something else obviously struck him. “My brothers are working today! What if this is happening to them?”
“Well, they work with witches, so let’s hope they deal with them. I will help you!”
El was sipping her afternoon coffee and nibbling on a slice of cake behind the counter in her shop, The Silver Bough, when she spotted the Grandmaster and the Royal Fool across the street.
She’d been unnerved at lunchtime when she’d seen Reuben hauled into the stocks, despite the fact that he’d winked and laughed. The Court of Fools was undeniably eye-catching, and they all seemed to play their parts with relish. The crowd had loved it, and quite a few had put money in the charity bucket to participate. By the time it was finished, Reuben stank and had to head home for a shower.
But El had noticed that Briar was right. Stan had passed very close to her at one point, and she scented an odd odour around him—something musty but spicy that she hoped was a remnant of where it had been stored. Stan seemed oblivious, running around with glee, and thrilled that so many were participating.
She studied the Grandmaster and the Royal Fool. They were playing their parts well. The fool was cavorting around, throwing in a few tumbles and cartwheels, and the Grandmaster strode around like the chivalrous knight he was supposed to be, his hand on his hilt as if he would draw his sword at any moment.
His tabard had a large red cross on it like the Knights Templar, and El smiled as she watched him challenge a few teenagers loitering on the corner. She couldn’t hear what he said, but whatever it was they took it in good humour, straightening up from their slouching. Maybe it was the pretty, young acrobat who had more sway, because they were watching her avidly.
Zoe, her shop assistant—the glamorous Wiccan witch—passed them, laughing, and in seconds she arrived inside. “They’re a lot of fun.”
“What are they doing?”
Zoe slipped her jacket off as she joined El behind the counter. “He seems to be encouraging courtly behaviour, while also asking them to think about those they’d recommend for the stocks.” She raised a beautifully plucked eyebrow. “I hope no one suggests me.”
“Stan said it’s all voluntary!” El said, repeating what he’d explained earlier that day. “And besides, I’m sure no one would want to put you in the stocks. You’re far too intimidating!”
“I am not!” Zoe said, shocked.
El just rolled her eyes. “You are polite, reserved, and always immaculate. I doubt anyone would dare! In fact,” she took in Zoe’s blunt bob dyed scarlet on the ends and her well-defined eyes, “you’ve definitely got a vibe going today.”
Zoe smiled mischievously. “Don’t I always?”
“Yes, but,” El paused wondering how to explain it. “It’s like you’re enhanced.”
Zoe studied her. “It’s odd you should say that, because you seem to be, too. In fact, your necklace appears to be glowing.”
El looked down at the antique necklace she’d found with her grimoire in the rune covered box. The ruby was set into an ornate silver surround, filigree curls wrapping around the jewel, and it hung on a long chain over her black top. It hummed with an energy that she’d grown used to. It enhanced her fire magic and concentrated her powers if she chose to use it to focus a spell, and she lifted it up to her eyes. The centre of the gem held a pinprick of light, like a tiny flame.
“Wow,” El said, turning it slowly. “I only normally see that if I’m actively using it.” Zoe knew all about her magic. “It’s warm, too.”
“That could just be your body heat,” Zoe suggested.
“Only if I have a raging fever,” El said, encouraging her to feel it.
Zoe clasped it in her palm. “You’re right. It’s like a mini hot water bottle. I can feel it thrumming, too.”
Zoe frowned as she released it and looked around the shop. It was towards the end of the day, and there was only the two of them biding time until closing. The interior of the shop looked mysterious with the ornate wallpaper and white lights snaking across the shelves, the jewellery glinting in the light.
“Actually, El,” she said, rising to her feet and walking over to one of the displays. “These all seem to have a glow to them, too.”
El followed her. “It’s just the lights. I like it like this. It feels more magical.”
“That’s because they are! Your magic is very potent,” Zoe said thoughtfully. “I think I can actually see it.”
El was baffled. “You can see my magic?”
“It’s the only way I can describe it. And look,” she said, swinging around and pointing to the weapons that were mounted on the wall behind the counter. “The engravings have a weird light.”
“It’s the fairy lights!”
“No! It’s more than that,” she insisted. Zoe was very stubborn, El knew this after working with her for a long time, and she wasn’t about to give up. “I have a suggestion. Close your eyes tightly, palms over them, and give it a few seconds. Then try again.”
“Is this one of those weird prankster-things you’ve got from the Court of Fools?”
“Will you just humour me?” she asked, hands on slender hips.
With reluctance, El closed her eyes and covered them with her palms, taking a few deep breaths and trying not to giggle. If a customer walked in now, they’d think they were both nuts. After a few seconds, she stared at the weapons again and almost squealed. “By the Goddess! They are glowing!”
“Told you so! What’s causing that?”
As El blinked the light faded, but not completely. Instead, all of the jewellery imbued with magic spells of some kind or another emitted a silvery light, and she turned to Zoe with dismay. “Bloody hell, I have no idea.”
Four
Shadow tied Kailen to a tree at the edge of Ravens’ Wood, close to White Haven Castle, and joined the gathering wassailers.
It was late on Sunday afternoon and the light was already fading, but the castle grounds were a hive of activity. Reuben and Stan would soon welcome the crowd, and the Holly King would lead them to the orchard that was part of Ravens’ Wood,
ready to bless the trees for a fruitful year’s harvest to come. A few stalls had been set up, selling snacks, mulled cider, and wine, and the Morris Dancers were already rattling their bells as they entertained the gathering crowd. Stan and his Court of Fools were mingling with the gatherers, and Jago, the Holly King, was also dressed in his finery. Shadow smiled to see so many people wearing pagan greenery, a few carrying drums. She hadn’t expected there to be so many people here.
She’d participated in similar celebrations in her own world, admittedly with dryads taking a much more central role than they would today, but she was eager to be a part of the White Haven celebrations regardless. Especially since she visited Ravens’ Wood several times a week, sometimes with one of her brothers, other times alone. It was always different, every single time. The paths changed and twisted, leading to new groves or unexpected rises or hollows, and even now in the depths of winter, there were trees that hadn’t shed their leaves.
Her gaze encompassed the castle ruins, the wood stacked for the solstice bonfire and the steel grey sea beyond, and she pulled her cloak tight around her neck. She didn’t often wear it, as it was decidedly Otherworldly to charge around on horseback with her cloak flying behind her, but it was thick and warm. Fortunately, today there were so many strange costumes around that she blended right in.
Spotting El with the three other witches, her bright blonde hair almost a beacon in the twilight, Shadow bought a cup of mulled cider and joined them.
“How are you?” El asked immediately. “Are the boys okay?”
“No, they’re having a meltdown,” Shadow admitted, thinking that was the best word to describe the mix of panic and anger that had descended upon the household. “They’re worried they’ll be trapped in the house forever, seeing as how their wings have suddenly become visible.”
“It was more than that,” Avery said, looking worried. “Gabe looked majestic, like some kind of super-being. He even had a halo of light around him!”
