She knocked on the giant oak doors of Marylebone House. Sculpted with intricate patterns and symbols of magic, they appeared ordinary, plain, and unadorned to mortals as they walked past on a daily basis. Those who were magical knew instantly what those doors signified otherwise the general public didn’t even register they were there.
“Who knocks at Marylebone?” A sleepy eye in one of the wooden, pictorial carvings in the door opened and peered at Zelda.
“Zelda Mortiboy, Wizardess of Raven’s Creek, Prime Wizardess of the Supreme Magical Council, wishes to speak with Grand Dragon Anton. It’s of the utmost urgency.”
The sleepy eye widened, and the body belonging to it sat upright in its carved chair, suddenly alert. “Prime Wizardess!” One of the wide doors swished open. “Come and wait in the lobby. I will announce you immediately.”
Zelda entered and stood on the black-and-white slate tiles in the great hall. The message of her untimely arrival was sent via one wood panel to the next. As the message was relayed, other inhabitants of Marylebone were alerted of their visitor. The hall was long and wide and the ceilings high and ornate. The woodwork was polished to a lustrous gleam.
Doors opened and curious faces looked out. Zelda Mortiboy’s fame preceded her. She arched her eyebrows and gave an imperious nod to those who dared to greet her. She said nothing but looked about with interest. Having never entered Marylebone through the front door, this was a new experience, and she relished the opportunity to inspect Marylebone’s security at ground level. Usually she came invited and translocated directly into the Dragons’ Lair.
The slam of a door in another hallway resounded through the building. Something banged on the hard floor, and a scurry of feet drew closer. She had surprised them all with her arrival. Not good. Did that mean they were not watching what was happening between Aden and Rosa?
Anton, his robe hastily placed over his shoulders, strode down the hallway, his familiar at his side. What was his name? She would remember in a minute. She never forgot a name. It was something to do with Christmas. Ah, yes, that was it. Mistletoe. She rolled her eyes. Witches and warlocks were a funny lot even if she loved three particular ones dearly.
“Anton,” she said when he stopped before her, a worried expression on his face. “All is not going as planned.”
“There’s still time,” Anton uttered in hushed tones. He peered over his shoulder, and the more curious faces disappeared back behind their doors. “Come with me to my private sitting room. An old friend has returned after a very long absence. He will be interested to hear what you have to say, and we can talk without being overheard.”
He took her elbow and ushered her swiftly down the great hall and then up an enormous winding staircase that seemed to go on forever. Up and up she went, until, breathless, they reached the uppermost floor and entered Anton’s private sitting room. It was small, but large enough for two couches, a wall of ancient books, a large desk, and an old, frayed, half-charred chair where his dragon, Mistletoe, perched.
But there was another in the room, and his presence warmed Zelda’s heart. “Leonardo!” Zelda charged forward, her face wreathed in an enormous smile, her hands outstretched in welcome. “I’ve never been so happy to see a familiar face.”
Anton huffed as Zelda embraced Leonardo. “You didn’t say that about me!”
“You, you old reprobate. I see you all the time at Council meetings.”
Zelda stood back, her hands still on Leonardo’s upper arms. She was so much shorter, and she angled her chin upwards, her smile crinkling her already creased eyes. “How long has it been? Four hundred years?”
“Four hundred and thirty-eight, to be exact.” Leonardo tugged Zelda back into his embrace, almost smothering her against his enormous chest. “You were a much younger woman then. I thought you would be young forever. What happened to change your appearance and what brings you to Marylebone’s front door, no less?”
“Surely you know I’ve been living in Raven’s Creek, looking after the Greenwood girls. Their mother Alice was my best friend. You are aware of how they were killed?”
Regret filmed Leonardo’s eyes. “A bad day for us all.”
“When I moved to Raven’s Creek, I couldn’t exactly stay the same age year in year out. People would notice, so a little glamour each year, and I’ve progressively aged.” She waved a hand in front of her face and a younger, more vital woman stood before Leonardo and Anton. “Clever, don’t you think?”
“Very clever. And admirable you have taken the time to mentor the Greenwood witches during such a difficult period. But surely you’re no longer required to remain in Raven’s Creek now they’re grown.”
“You’ve been gone too long from Marylebone, I fear. Has Anton not filled you in?”
“He has, but he forgot to mention you were involved.”
“I find I enjoy living in Raven’s Creek. It’s quiet. I come and go mostly unobserved, and I love those girls as if they were my own. I’ll not abandon them now. And you, Leonardo? What brings you to Marylebone? I understood you and Sophia no longer travel and live permanently in Cyprus.”
“Removing myself and my family from Marylebone was a desperate action, but we could no longer be witness to Aden’s attempts to avoid his brothers and sisters or Sophia and myself. His guilt ran so deep. We have remained at the family enclave, awaiting Aden’s return to us of his own volition. I told him when he left we would wait for him, and so we have.”
Anton led them to a couch situated against the far wall where a large window provided an amazing view of Marylebone High Street. He waved a hand, and a carafe of wine and three glasses appeared on the coffee table. “Leonardo has not been idle. He has become a mighty fine vintner during his exile. This is the best drop of red I’ve tasted in a very long time.”
While the wine poured itself, they made themselves comfortable and Zelda spoke, impatient to get to the point. “So why are you here now? I thought Aden was forgiven his transgression a long time ago?”
“The only one who hasn’t forgiven him is Aden himself, and that’s the truth of it,” Anton told them plainly.
“I think — ” Leonardo leaned forward in his chair, his fingers forming a steeple, “ — there has been a shift in his awareness. Aden opened a rift in the earthly veil only days after his arrival in your adopted town, Zelda. I don’t think it will be long now before he returns home.”
“He’s not going anywhere until Rosa’s fate is sealed,” Anton told him sternly. “Their fates are intricately entwined.”
“So entwined that no one can see the outcome,” Zelda observed wryly.
“Regardless,” Leonardo responded with confidence, “whether he succeeds or fails, I believe he will rejoin us soon.”
But Zelda’s interest was more aligned with Rosa. “What can we do to improve the situation between them? We can’t just leave them to it. They’re making a complete mess of it.”
“There’s trouble enough down there without adding to the confusion.” Anton was firm on the matter.
Zelda raised her formidable voice in sudden irritation. “Aden has refused Rosa. Goran is not for her, but he will do if necessary. I will ensure it is so. There are few with your so-called potential worthy of her in our small community.”
“They make their own destiny. If we interfere, we risk the integrity of Marylebone and all it stands for. Goran is not for Rosa.”
Those stupid warlocks and their so-called integrity, thought Zelda uncharitably. “So you’ve no objection to a wizardess working a spell or two in Rosa’s favour?”
Anton’s response was immediate and angry. “I definitely object!”
“Why? I care deeply about Rosa’s wellbeing. I’m not going to sit by and do nothing.”
“Do I have to remind you that you agreed to this course of action at one of the council meetin
gs months ago?”
“You may recall I voiced my concerns. My opinion has not changed one iota.”
“There’s more at stake here than you realize.”
Leonardo’s eyebrows drew together, and Zelda instantly grasped Anton had not told her everything. “What do you mean? What are you hiding from me?” Zelda knew she needed to remind them who was in charge. “What have you hidden from the Supreme Council?”
Anton’s complexion reddened. “Well, ah … there’s something Marylebone didn’t reveal. We … ah … the Fates and I were worried it would affect their decision.” Anton sprung from his chair and paced the length of the room with his hands clasped behind his back. He spun round and sighed aloud. “It appears now would be a prudent time to reveal the full story to you both.”
• • •
Aden was doing as Rosa had asked. He had not seen Rosa once since her directive to stay away. She had eight days left, and the tension in her was building along with her magic. It was getting harder to contain it, unused magic spilling out of her just as a bucket overflowed when filled with too much liquid.
“He’s been holed up in Lavender Cottage working in the studio for days,” Beth said. All three had spent most of the day preparing the gallery for the start of the weeklong festival and then returned to Rosa’s for dinner. “He’s in there all hours of the day and night. The rest of the time, he stands on the embankment staring at the heavens. Sometimes Albert bursts out of nowhere for a short visit, but mostly he’s in the studio.”
“It’s a good place for him.” Alanna peered out the window of the second bedroom of Rose Cottage. They could see most of the front yard and the side access of Lavender Cottage from where they stood.
“What do you mean?” Rosa asked as she too peered out. It was impossible to get through a day without someone making a reference to Aden, reminding her of her ultimate failure in convincing him to give her a chance. Every day, her heart broke a little more. Every day, she chided herself for being so weak. Every day, she arose from bed, went through the motions of working, smiling, laughing when required, and pretending to enjoy the constant teasing about her search for a husband.
“At least we know where he is and what he’s up to at any given moment of the day.”
“We knew that before we knew he was warlock. The entire town tracks his movements. We really don’t need to track him ourselves.”
“That was before Goran arrived,” Beth said. “Now their attention has been diverted by his good looks and French accent. Goran was not so astonished to learn the odds in him winning a date with you, Rosa, have risen remarkably. His ego could do with a little deflating, but it’s apparent there’s a real division on who will win the raffle. They’re running a tight race.”
Rosa laughed, a derisive sound. “Aden appears to have withdrawn altogether. I don’t think he will turn up on the night of the gala, do you?” One of the requirements to win the prize was that you had to be present at the event. As vehemently as Rosa had sent him away, she also wanted to see him again. “I hope he decides to stay away.”
“So what are you doing about a substitute?” Alanna insisted. “Time is running out. If Aden is out of contention, that leaves only Goran.”
“Rosa is doing her best,” Beth admonished softly.
But Alanna wasn’t done. “Met any more warlocks lately? Can’t we fix it so that no one else wins? What about Zelda? She’d help if we asked.”
“Still pissed at losing your magic, I see,” Rosa scolded not mentioning that she now knew Zelda had known all along about Aden. She wasn’t sure how she felt about her friend’s deception. “Have you not learned anything over the past few weeks?”
“I love you,” Alanna insisted hotly, her emotional response very out of character. “I … I don’t … I don’t want to lose you.”
At last. The real reason behind Alanna’s belligerence was surfacing. Rosa reached out with both arms and tugged her sisters into a small circle, hugging them tightly. “I don’t want to lose you either.” Tears of frustration at seeing Alanna so upset stung her eyes and she whispered fiercely, “It will work out. I have to believe it, and so must you.”
• • •
Aden was always avoiding issues that involved the heart. The past few days of self-imposed solitude had given him time to think. At first his thoughts had turned to Rosa, but he knew that in order to fix the present, as his wise friend Goran had tried to tell him, he needed to revisit his past.
He’d wasted too much time arguing with himself over whether it was a wise move. Painful as it was, he acknowledged he needed to pry his heart open and release all the painful memories he’d locked away. He would surrender to the memory of the love he’d had for his beloved. For Lydia. Not the heartbreak. Lydia would never have wanted him to shut himself off from the world and from everyone he loved. She had always encouraged him to maintain his connection to his family and coven. He was tired to his soul’s core of running from his own memories. Of pretending he no longer cared about his family. Of being alone.
Decision made, Aden directed his thoughts inwards, replaying each memory one by one, embracing the unconditional love and sacrifice Lydia had made just so she could spend her very mortal life with him. In doing so, he came to the realization he owed it to Rosa to tell her everything. But when?
Based on his instructions from Marylebone not to interfere, he decided to wait until the festival ended. If there was another for her, surely he would reveal himself by then. But first he would finish his commission, then the bowl for Rosa and the fairy necklace for Beth. He might even make that dragon set for Alanna.
• • •
On the first day of the festival, the sun rose in a clear blue sky. Despite there being only eight days left before Rosa’s fate was ultimately decided, Aden’s heart was lighter than it had been in a long, long time. Leaving his studio, he walked down the main street greeting all those who had set up stalls on the sidewalks early, ready for the influx of visitors due to arrive within the hour. It was in marked contrast to his first day in Raven’s Creek when he wanted nothing to do with anyone or anything. He liked these people. He felt comfortable here. He didn’t really want to leave.
Aden purchased a barbequed sausage, fried onions, and ketchup in a thick slice of homemade bread. Even his taste buds had improved, he thought as he bought another sausage and applied a liberal amount of ketchup over it. He grinned his thanks between bites and moved on, weaving his way from stall to stall, stopping to inspect exhibits and converse with the locals.
Then he spotted Zelda making a beeline in his direction, and his good humor was tested between one bite of meat and the next. Aden crossed the street to avoid her. He had no inclination to speak to the wizardess who could see clear through to his heart. Unfortunately, she tapped him on the shoulder a few minutes later. Resigned, he turned and waited for the inevitable.
Zelda went straight for the jugular. “So what are you going to do about Rosa?”
“Leave me alone,” he snarled. “Go scare someone else.”
Zelda looked far too smug for her own good. “So I scare you, do I?”
He snagged her arm and diverted her from ears that would listen. “I’m no rookie, and well you know it. Last time we met, you were a hell of a lot younger and interfering in some man’s life in London, making him miserable beyond belief. I don’t trust your reasons for being here.”
“I could say the same about you.”
“I can be trusted.”
“Was it truthful to shield your magic?”
“I was bound by an oath to Marylebone to do so.”
Zelda snorted rudely, and Aden was reminded of Alanna. Those two would be a fine match for each other.
“What’s your excuse?” he added, and her smile withered. “My magic isn’t shielded to the girls, if that’s what you mean.
They know who I am. I haven’t crept around pretending to be someone I’m not.”
“But have you told them … ” He paused wondering if he should go there, “ … everything?” Aden knew the answer by the sudden alarm in her eyes.
“What do you know of it?”
“More than you think. You forget I was Gregori’s apprentice. I know what happened.”
Zelda looked uneasily about her. “Be quiet!” she hissed. “It’s best they don’t know. You might accuse me of being dishonest, when you know the same secret. Rosa trusts me a lot more than she trusts you.”
“I was instructed to not reveal who I was.”
“There’s a time for everything. Now is not the time to reveal Gregori’s part in the sisters’ lives, but be warned. Don’t hurt Rosa anymore than you have. There will be consequences if you do.” The old woman stopped and studied him, her eyes sharp and far too knowing behind her horn-rimmed glasses. “There’s something different about you.”
He withstood her intense regard and allowed her to prod at his aura. She was right. There was a time for every truth. The one that would rock the foundations of the sisters’ lives wasn’t his secret to reveal. “Figure it out for yourself. It’s been … interesting talking with you, but I still have many more stalls to visit.”
The old woman’s smile was evil. Oh, no! Don’t! Don’t say it. She hooked her arm through his elbow and said, “Wonderful. Let’s do it together.”
And the day had begun so well.
He could not shake her from his side. “I’m not going to tell anyone your secret,” he insisted. “It benefits no one to reveal what I know. There are reasons why Gregori sits waiting on a lily pad. His time will come. There’s no need to stalk me.”
Zelda cackled like a senile crone. “Someone needs to keep an eye on you.”
“So you’ve appointed yourself my body guard?”
The Silver Rose Page 18
