by Kit Berry
‘Anyone in particular, sir? The young doctor perhaps?’
‘No,’ he frowned. ‘She’ll talk and fuss too much. She thinks I’m seriously ill. No Hallfolk – it could get back to Sylvie. Get me a Village girl, someone fresh.’
‘Very good, sir. Anything else? Shall I wait up and take the girl back later?’
‘No … no, I’ll keep her till the morning. Be ready to escort her down the back stairs and away first thing though, as Sylvie will be joining me for breakfast tomorrow.’
Martin smiled and plumped up the cushions along the sofa.
‘Enjoy your evening, sir.’
‘I’m sure I will, Martin. I’ve earned it. This past week of abstinence has been hell.’
‘You can’t just miss a year of school like that!’ said Miranda angrily.
‘Not miss it, Mum – defer it, he said. I’ll go back and do this year again next September.’
‘But I don’t want you to do that! Magus should’ve asked me first.’
‘I don’t think he wants to speak to you,’ said Sylvie, feeling a prickle of guilt at the lie. Surely it was kinder to let her mother recover from her infatuation and broken heart – seeing Magus at this point would only stir it all up again. Sylvie was sure Magus would never love her, not in the way Miranda wanted. Miranda’s face fell and she looked down at her knitting.
‘How dare he make this decision and not consult me? I—’
‘Please, Mum, don’t get funny about it. I can’t catch up, and this way I’ll get better results when I do take my exams.’
‘And what if we leave?’
‘Come on, Mum, you know we can’t leave. Anyway, my schooling would be even worse then. How could I start at a new school now, halfway through my final year? Please, don’t make a fuss. I feel so relieved. It’s like a great weight has been lifted suddenly and I can suddenly stand up straight again.’
‘It just annoys me that he thinks he can do this without even asking me. I’m your mother after all! What were you doing in his room anyway? Did he send for you?’
Sylvie looked away guiltily.
‘I’ve been spending a bit of time there over the past couple of days. Magus has been ill and he asked me to keep him company.’
Miranda swallowed, keeping her head down and trying to hide the sudden violent resentment she felt towards her daughter. When she looked up again, Sylvie was sorting out her school books and folders and putting them tidily into the book shelf in their sitting room, her eyes shining with happiness.
‘I don’t know what he’s playing at,’ Miranda said slowly, ‘but be very careful, Sylvie. Whatever you do, don’t be fooled by him the way I was.’
‘Mum, I’ve always known what he’s like. You were blind to it, not me. Remember the arguments we used to have about him? When I told you there was another side to him and you wouldn’t believe me? I don’t trust him at all, but he’s been very sweet the last few days and it won’t do any harm to spend time with him.’
Miranda eyed her sourly and went back to her knitting with renewed vigour.
Sylvie was relieved when there was a knock on their door the next morning and she found a maid standing outside with a pile of clean laundry. It was Rowan, the girl who’d been the May Queen at Beltane all those months ago. Like Miranda she was now quite heavily pregnant, but unlike the dreary and embittered older woman, Rowan glowed with vitality and ripeness. Sylvie smiled tentatively but Rowan refused to meet her eye.
‘Thank you,’ said Sylvie. ‘I’d been hoping these would come back soon. I’ve got nothing else to wear.’
The new black trousers and jumper were the only things that fitted her properly and she’d wanted to wear them for days. Magus noticed the difference too, when she joined him for breakfast, his eyes following her about the room. The slim black outfit set her figure off perfectly and her hair shone in a silver cloud almost down to her waist. Sylvie sensed a change in him today. His eyes sparkled and glowed with some of the old lazy charm. As she brought the plates of croissants and fruit to the table, he caught hold of her hand and examined her wrists again.
‘Still there, I see.’
‘Bruises always take ages to fade on me,’ she said, looking into his dark eyes. ‘But they don’t hurt as much anymore and my ribs are fine now.’
‘Good,’ he said. ‘I don’t like to see his marks on you. Come and sit down so we can eat – I feel ravenous today.’
She watched in bemusement as he consumed a couple of croissants and a bowl of fruit salad in quick succession.
‘Your appetite’s come back!’ she said. ‘You look so much better today.’
‘It’s because you’re here with me,’ he said, smiling across the table at her. ‘I feel infinitely better. What power you have, Sylvie, to cure someone just with your presence.’
She frowned at this, not convinced.
‘You seem different today,’ she said. ‘There’s something else … Did you get a good night’s sleep?’
His face split into a grin and he looked so like Yul.
‘I had a wonderful night, Sylvie, absolutely wonderful.’
After breakfast he took her over to his desk and sat down with her.
‘We’re going to order you a new winter wardrobe,’ he said. She stared at him in wonder and he laughed. ‘Don’t look so shocked! I said I’d buy you new clothes after the Owl Moon.’
‘Yes but … we had a deal and I didn’t moondance for you.’
‘That wasn’t your fault, Sylvie. I can see the pain and suffering you went through trying to escape that damn boy’s clutches. You’d have danced for me if you could’ve, so I’ll keep my side of the deal. There are several websites for department stores that offer a courier service so we can get some clothes quickly for you. And I’d like to get some decent designer things too – some really special outfits to do justice to your beauty. They may take a little longer to arrive. You’ll need shoes and boots as well, and maybe some jewellery? Perfume and cosmetics? Let’s go on a virtual shopping trip and see what lovely things we can find for you.’
Two hours later Sylvie sat in the window seat gazing out at the wintry sky. She couldn’t believe what had happened. They’d visited several sites and Magus had urged her to choose whatever caught her fancy. At first she’d been shy, not sure if he’d approve of her taste, or what sizes and designs she should try, and not certain how much she was allowed to spend. He’d sensed her awkwardness and hugged her briefly.
‘I love your lack of greed,’ he’d said. ‘You’re not avaricious in the slightest. I’ve seen some of the girls here with rich parents indulging in spending frenzies that shocked even me, and I’m not renowned for my restraint when it comes to money. But you, Sylvie … you’re delightful. You make me want to buy you the earth.’
‘But is it alright to order so much? This will cost a fortune.’
‘Sylvie, I’m worth a fortune. I have considerable personal wealth. You remember my company in London? It’s extremely successful and there’s money pouring in from all sorts of ventures. I’m a rich man and I can’t think of a better way of spending it than buying things for you. You’re so appreciative.’
She smiled shyly at him. She’d never had money in her life, and certainly never been able to splash out on fashionable clothes. She’d always had to make do with second-hand things and any new stuff had been cheap and shoddy. This was a different world.
Magus had taken over as they shopped, realising her lack of experience when it came to serious spending. He’d picked out item after item, urging her to choose whichever colour she preferred and accessories to match. She had no idea how much money he’d spent on her, for after a while the figures meant nothing and she lost count, and Magus didn’t even seem to look at the prices anyway. She felt a thrill deep in her stomach at the exhilaration of such extravagance. When they’d finally finished, they stood up and he’d taken her hands in his, gazing down into her moonstone eyes.
‘You’ve given me a lot of p
leasure this morning,’ he said softly.
‘No … no, you’ve been the kind one. Thank you!’ she smiled. ‘Thank you, thank you!’
He chuckled and held her close in a brief hug, kissing the top of her head in a fatherly way.
‘This is just the beginning,’ he said. ‘Your life is going to change so much, my moongazy girl. I want to spoil you, pamper you, indulge your every whim!’
She giggled at this.
‘No, Sylvie, I mean it. You know how desperately I need your moon magic, how you alone can give me what I crave. And in return, you’ll never want for anything. Every month you’ll dance for me on the rock and you’ll see what a generous and grateful man I can be. You’ll be my princess and everyone will know how special you are. They’ll see exactly just how much you mean to me.’
Now she sat on the window seat as they waited for lunch and her heart began to sink. She’d been caught up in the excitement of buying beautiful new clothes, things that would make Holly and her gang green with envy, but the meaning of Magus’ words now trickled through her self-delusion. He’d spoken as if she’d be with him for ever, as if they’d be living here at the Hall with their whole future spread before them. A future patterned by the thirteen full moons when she’d go up to Mooncliffe willingly and stand on that rock, pain shooting through her body as the stones drank her magic.
Maybe Magus was imagining she’d get used to it. And maybe over time he’d only keep her there long enough to feed him what he needed, with no extra stones to fill. It was a dream … but a dream that couldn’t exist after the Solstice. That knowledge sliced through the fantasy he’d created. He had no idea what Yul had planned for him in less than three weeks’ time.
Sylvie still didn’t trust Magus but realised she was warming to him. He’d treated her very kindly over the past few days, just as he’d treated her when she first came to Stonewylde. He could be a gentle and congenial person when he wanted to, and she remembered how he’d healed her in the woods, restoring her health and probably saving her life. How could she repay him now by playing a part in this conflict? Even by keeping quiet she was helping to bring about his downfall.
She thought of Yul, and realised it was the first time she’d done so today. If she warned Magus what was to come, what would happen to Yul? Would Magus really kill him, as Yul believed? It was impossible to imagine this generous man setting out to murder his own son in cold blood – surely Yul must be mistaken. It was true, she knew, that Magus hated him and wouldn’t tolerate Yul’s challenge to his supremacy. But maybe she could negotiate between them, help them come to some arrangement? She’d give Magus her moon magic every month and he’d leave Yul alone and allow them to see each other. She needed to speak to Yul and try to sort this out.
Magus sensed her dejection, surprising after the excitement of the shopping spree, and after lunch decided they needed some fresh air. He told her to fetch her cloak and helped fasten the clasp around her neck, releasing her great swathe of hair from beneath it. He let it slip through his fingers in silky strands. His eyes were bright as he gazed down at her.
‘You are lovely,’ he murmured, his eyes roaming her face.
She felt a pang as she wore the scarlet cloak remembering the last time when she and Yul were together; she wondered what he was doing now. Magus took her arm in his and they went downstairs side by side. Several people in the entrance hall looked up at the striking pair descending the great stairs and Sylvie was gratified to see that one of them was Rainbow; this would now get back to Holly. Hazel was there too and she greeted them at the foot of the stairs.
‘You’re better!’ she exclaimed, looking up at Magus with a twisted half smile. Sylvie felt sympathy for the doctor; her eyes held the same expression that her mother’s had, and it could only lead to heartache.
‘I am indeed,’ he smiled, putting an arm round Sylvie’s shoulders. ‘All thanks to this little moon goddess.’
Hazel’s eyes followed them as they swept past her, and Sylvie felt the young doctor’s pain.
They went into the formal garden with its gravel paths, clipped yews and stone statues. The December sky was like lead and a chilly wind flicked at them, stinging their cheeks and eyes. Magus had walked with her here before, when he was being so hard on her, but the atmosphere between them today was very different.
‘I should’ve brought my gloves!’ said Sylvie, and Magus took one of her hands in his. He began to tell her the history of this garden and formal gardens in general. He talked of the Renaissance ideology, of the concept of imposing order and symmetry on the chaos of nature, and was eloquent and knowledgeable. She listened to his lively conversation and found herself wondering if it would pall after a while, living with someone so clever, or whether it would always be entertaining and stimulating.
‘Of course, you’d have to visit Italy and France to see the best examples of those Renaissance gardens. When the weather’s a bit warmer, maybe March or April, we could go and visit if you like. We could spend a month or so in Europe, travelling and touring. What do you think?’
‘Oh yes!’ she exclaimed, completely forgetting that if Yul were successful, that would be an impossibility. ‘I’ve never been abroad before.’
‘What? Oh Sylvie, in that case, we must start soon! We’ll go wherever you want, wherever takes your fancy. We’ll look at the globe in my office when we get back. We can visit such wonderful places …’
And then, at that precise moment, surrounded by the order and symmetry of the formal Italianate garden with its raked gravel and perfect hedges, Sylvie started to think seriously about what a life with Magus would actually be like; life with a very wealthy man who could go anywhere and do anything, and wanted to share it all with her. Life with a man who could have any woman he wanted, but who believed she was unique.
Sylvie knew she had something Magus wanted more than anything else in the world. It was something he couldn’t take away from her, but would have to accept in small portions every month, something he was prepared to coax from her. She knew that it was painful and debilitating to channel the moon magic for him, but would it be worth enduring that pain in order to keep a man like him in her thrall? Would it be worth the sacrifice in order to live like a princess?
12
Sylvie awoke the next morning and stretched in her bed, luxuriating in the knowledge that there were no more lessons to face for a while. The pressure was off. After weeks of being ostracised and ridiculed by her peers, nagged and censured by the adults, ignored by her mother, it was heaven to be spending time with someone who actually appreciated her company and found her delightful. She hopped out of bed eager to start the new day and wore her black outfit again, unable to bear the thought of her scruffy old clothes. Holly had been right – how had she stood looking so awful? What must Magus have thought of her floral skirts, bobbly old jumpers and woolly socks? Hopefully today the courier service would deliver some of the new things they’d ordered. Her heart jumped with excitement at the prospect and she decided to go straight to his rooms now for breakfast. After all, she must keep her side of the deal.
But as Sylvie left the bathroom and made for the door, her mother emerged from her bedroom in a dressing gown. The pregnancy, now in the last months, had suddenly become hugely apparent. The bump was enormous and Miranda had gained weight everywhere, her arms and legs puffy with extra flesh and fluid. Even her face seemed bloated, and her beautiful chestnut-red hair had become quite lank and lifeless. Gone was the sparkle and vivacity of her early pregnancy, to be replaced by a heavy dullness. Sylvie felt sorry for her. It must be awful carrying that great bulge around and feeling so ungainly.
‘Are you going down to breakfast?’ asked Miranda, shuffling across the sitting room in her slippers to draw the curtains. Sylvie nodded, pausing by the door, eager to be gone.
‘Hold on a minute and I’ll come down with you. I feel a little more able to face the world now.’
‘That’s good, Mum,’ said Sylvie, her
heart sinking. ‘That’s really great news. But I can’t … I’m sorry; I’m not going down to the Dining Hall. I’m having breakfast in Magus’ rooms.’
Miranda frowned at her.
‘Has he sent for you? I didn’t hear a knock.’
‘No, but … he said he wanted me to keep him company until he’s better. He’s ordered me some winter clothes and that was the deal.’
‘I see. So he’s arranged for you to miss a whole year of school just so you can prance about in new clothes and keep him amused, has he?’
‘No Mum, it’s not like that. He says I’ve helped to make him better. I must go – I promised.’
‘And what about me, Sylvie? I’d really like to have you with me as I go downstairs and face all those people again. I’m dreading their looks and comments. They must’ve all guessed what’s happened and I feel so humiliated. I need some support – I thought you’d be happy to help me.’
Sylvie looked away guiltily. She wanted to sip fresh orange juice from crystal glass and talk with Magus; bask in his warmth and appreciation. She certainly didn’t want to walk into the Dining Hall next to her heavily pregnant mother with everyone staring and sniggering. Miranda was right, gossip was rife, and Sylvie really didn’t need any more aggravation. Not now that everything was so rosy.
‘I’m really sorry, Mum. I’ve promised Magus I’ll spend the next few days with him and I can’t go back on that.’
‘I think you’ve spent quite enough time with him lately – he doesn’t own you. We’ll send a message to say you’re busy today.’
‘No!’
‘But you don’t enjoy going there, surely? Not after what he’s done to all of us. You, and me, and Yul.’
‘Well … no of course not, But he isn’t that bad. I mean, I know he hurt you and Yul, but he hasn’t actually done anything to me.’
‘What about Mooncliffe? Have you forgotten what he put you through? Clip’s told me about it and it’s appalling that Magus used you like that. And what about your awful weakness and illness afterwards? If that’s not harming you, I don’t know what is!’
