“No!” he declared firmly. “I mean, it would have been surprising, but what came before isn’t any of my concern.” His eyes narrowed. “Besides, it was obvious from your amateurish performance that that wasn’t the case.”
She squinted back at him. “You’re going to pay for that remark.” When she saw the look of anticipation on his face, she added, “Later. We need to find somewhere to stay. I don’t want to spend another night sleeping under this roof.”
Mildly disappointed, he responded, “I wasn’t in the mood anyway. Those demon eyes of yours are too scary. I have a few more regeneration potions if you want to fix them.”
Selene turned her face away. “I’m never using one of those disgusting potions again, now that I know what’s in them. My eyes can heal on their own.”
Soon after that, they dried and dressed themselves. Selene selected a few things from her room and Will stored them away. “I can send for the rest when we find a place big enough to keep it all,” she said firmly.
“Let’s use the side entrance,” Will suggested. “I had some trouble at the front gate. I’d rather not go out that way.”
She frowned, but nodded without asking. They left via the postern gate, and after a short walk down the north road they came to the entrance to Wurthaven. Will started in that direction, but Selene caught his arm. “There’s somewhere else we need to go first.”
“Where?”
“The cathedral.”
“The one you nearly destroyed?” asked Will. “At this hour?”
She nodded. “They don’t lock the doors until midnight. We still have time.”
“For what?”
“You’ll see.”
Chapter 65
Contrary to her opinion that the cathedral would be open, the doors had been blocked and a guardsman was stationed outside. “I’m sorry. You can’t come in,” the man informed them. “The sanctuary may be closed for a few weeks until repairs are made.”
Selene stepped forward so the guard could see her face clearly in the lantern light. “I am well aware. Open the door for me.”
The man’s face paled and he dipped into a low bow as he recognized her features. “Your Highness, forgive me.”
“Is Father Latimer within?” she asked.
“His Holiness has already returned home, Your Highness.”
“Find someone and roust him out of bed. I require his presence.”
The guard’s face showed dismay. “I can’t leave my post, Your—”
“No one will vandalize the interior. We will be here until your return,” she said with unyielding authority.
The guard left, and Will and Selene went inside. The interior was worse than he remembered, and Will felt a sudden sense of guilt, as though he were a criminal returning to the scene of a crime. I suppose I am, he thought, though she did most of the damage.
For her part, Selene showed no sign of discomfort, much less embarrassment. Much like a cat, she surveyed the destruction she had wrought as though it had been caused by a third party, rather than by her own hand.
“I guess it could be worse,” offered Will. “Most of the damage is just woodwork—benches and whatnot.”
Selene pointed up at the vaulted ceilings. “They’ll have to repair the roof as well. I pulled quite a few stones loose when I was trying to smash your head. It’s a miracle I didn’t damage the arches and cause the entire ceiling to collapse.”
“You seem remarkably calm about the matter,” said Will in a neutral tone.
She shrugged. “I think I’ve developed a unique perspective. It probably has something to do with having been raised by a tyrannical lunatic.” She paused and looked at him seriously. “I’m probably not quite normal either. Does that bother you?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried,” said Will. “But I love you anyway. Why?”
“If you marry me, you’ll be stuck with me for life,” she explained.
He smiled. “I can worry about that later, for now I’m just glad we’re both—” His mouth froze as his brain worked out what she was planning. “Wait, is that why you called for the high priest?”
“What else would I call him here for?”
“But—”
“You do want to marry me, don’t you? It isn’t too late to back out.”
Will’s eyes were as big as saucers. He sputtered, “Well, yes, but I haven’t asked you yet. I don’t have a ring. People have to be warned. Aren’t there a lot of formalities? You’re a royal princess.”
“I recall you saying just a few hours ago that you would either move into the palace or take me with you. I assumed you meant marriage.”
“Well, yeah, I did, but…” Will backpedaled as he tried to sort out his words.
Her gaze was intense, and the effect was only made worse by the fact that the whites of her eyes were stained a vivid red. “William, are you telling me that after storming in here, disrupting my wedding, and destroying most of the interior of this church, that you don’t intend to marry me?”
All he could do was stare at her blankly.
“After I murdered my groom for you? You died, came back from death itself, marched into my home and confronted my father, and now you’re getting cold feet?”
Cold fear clutched at his heart for a moment. She’s insane, just like her father. Then he saw her lips quirk up at the corners as a mischievous smile threatened to break through her façade. She’s teasing me. But is she serious too? “Are you serious?” he asked. “Do you really want to get married, right now, atop the still-warm ashes of today’s catastrophe?”
Selene moved closer, her hand rising to catch the front of his tunic in a tight fist. It might have been a threatening gesture, but the expression on her face said otherwise. Hidden behind her calm determination was a flicker of quiet fear. “You died today,” she said. “I almost married the wrong man. My father is insane and may well kill one or both of us at any time. I won’t wait any longer. If I don’t marry you now, who knows what will happen tomorrow?”
Will’s chest tightened.
She looked up at him. “Do you think I’m mad?”
He pulled her close and held her gently. “No. Sometimes I think you’re the only sane person in this twisted mess of a world, and I still have no idea why you love me.”
She answered, speaking softly into his chest, “Someday I’ll explain it to you.”
They waited together for almost three quarters of an hour before the high priest appeared, though the man looked none too happy about having been forced from his bed. Will felt sorry for Father Latimer. The man had definitely had a stressful day.
The priest’s first responses were of shock and disbelief, followed by excuses. “I can’t, Your Highness. Your father, His Majesty, has to approve. This simply can’t be done. You aren’t some peasant farm girl. There must be witnesses, the banns must be published, there are a—”
Selene cut him off. “My father has already given his approval. Send men to confirm it if you don’t trust my word. Witnesses can be found. Bring in the guards if need be. Frankly I don’t care. The banns are not a requirement. If you have any other excuses make them quickly, but be warned, my patience is thin.”
The High Priest of the Church of the Holy Mother was not so easily browbeaten, and he argued for a while, but it was obvious to Will that the man was hopelessly outmatched. Messengers were sent to inform the palace, and two guards and an acolyte were brought in to serve as witnesses. Father Latimer was steadfast in one regard, however—he wouldn’t proceed until either the king appeared, or his written approval was received.
Another full hour passed while they waited, and it was nearing midnight when a runner appeared bearing the king’s writ. As Selene had said, Lognion had no objections, though Father Latimer stared at the paper as though trying to decide if he had lost his mind.
While the high priest was muttering to himself, Will pulled Selene aside. “We don’t have rings.”
“I don’
t care,” said Selene. “We can make them out of string for all I care. Wait, I have an idea. Do you have two gold crowns?”
Will summoned them from his limnthal. She took them from his hand, then her face grew serious. “Will, I didn’t believe you before, but now that I know the truth, I can hardly bear the knowledge. You once told me you could never marry a sorceress.”
That was true, but at present, he was willing to make an exception. Before he could say as much, though, Selene’s two elementals manifested physically, growing into man-sized figures of water and stone on either side of her. She handed a gold coin to each of them. “Hold your hand out so they can see your ring finger,” she told Will.
He held his left hand out toward the water elemental, Syllanus. Arrogan’s best friend, the only one who didn’t turn against him, he thought silently.
Selene addressed the elementals verbally, something he had never heard her do before. “This is my last task for you, my friends. Forgive me for keeping you all this time. I didn’t understand.”
Wait, is she going to give them up? Will couldn’t hide his shock. But she’ll be unable to use magic without slowly killing herself. For once, despite his principles, he wanted to stop her.
The gold coin disappeared into Syllanus, and the water blurred into motion. When the coin reappeared a minute later, a small hole had been bored through the center. The elemental held it up to Will’s hand to compare, then withdrew it once more. It repeated the cycle several times, until the hole in the coin would just fit over his finger, then it took the coin one last time. When it returned it a moment after, the outer portion had been ground and buffed down until all that was left was a perfectly polished gold band, one that neatly fit his finger.
On the other side Selene’s earth elemental had done the same with her coin. With their tasks accomplished, Selene drew out the knotted enchantments that bound the elementals to her, and for the first time, Will witnessed a sorcerer voluntarily unbinding the enchantment. The elementals bowed in Selene’s direction first, then turned and gave a second bow to him. They slowly dissipated after that, and the couple were left standing alone.
“Will you marry me now, Will? I’m not a sorceress any longer.”
“You idiot. I was going to marry you anyway,” he said quietly. “What will happen to you now?”
“I’ll have to make do, just like everyone else does. Fair warning, though, Father will be furious when he finds out. Greater elementals are extremely rare.” She smiled as she said it.
A figure approached from one of the side entrances, though it was a moment before Will recognized the newcomer. When he did, he stared at her in horror. It was his grandmother, Aislinn. “How?”
“I keep a close eye on those who owe me favors, William.” She then turned her attention to Selene, studying the young woman with careful eyes. “I have no objection,” she said at last, as though giving judgment. “You have much to learn, girl, but as you have sacrificed your ill-gotten power, I will give you my blessing.”
A low, hissing growl came from the ground near Will’s leg and when he looked down, he saw the goddamn cat. His back was arched, and his hackles raised as he glared at Will’s fae grandmother.
Aislinn looked down at the creature, barely disguising her alarm as she realized its presence in the room. She took a half step back, then stopped. “Why are you here?”
“I also have an interest here, fae witch. I would advise you not to interfere,” said the Cath Bawlg, his voice coming from everywhere at once.
The tension in the air was palpable, and Will glanced back to see that Father Latimer had taken note of the new arrivals. The High Priest of the Holy Mother was crouched behind the altar, hands clasped in a silent prayer to Temarah to grant him her protection.
Aislinn answered, “I am not here to interfere. I will bear witness to their marriage. My only interest in this is my new granddaughter-in-law.”
“Then I will bear witness as well,” responded the Cath Bawlg, “to ensure you keep your word.”
The high priest peered over the altar at them. “Are we safe to continue?”
The ceremony proceeded from there, and Father Latimer wasted no time on platitudes or lengthy speeches. He moved through the required phrases with remarkable alacrity, and before Will knew it, they were already to the vows and ‘I do’s.’ He felt stiff and awkward until the moment of the kiss, and though it began awkwardly, his heart melted and his body relaxed.
The high priest was anxious to leave, but Selene wouldn’t release him until a marriage document had been drawn up and four copies made. All those present signed, including Aislinn and the goddamn cat, who set his paw to the pages and left a blackened print on the papers. Selene took the first copy, and Aislinn took another on her insistence. The other two were reserved for the church and the king. The fae lady gave a final warning to Father Latimer as she took possession of her copy. “Make sure your king knows I was here. If he thinks to interfere or annul this joining, I will not allow it.”
The goddamn cat simply walked away, though to Father Latimer’s chagrin it stopped to mark the altar on its way out. The high priest was already sending his acolyte to fetch rags and water as the others made their way out. He seemed eminently relieved to see the end of the entire affair.
Aislinn stopped on the steps leading away from the church and then addressed the new couple. “I will claim my favor the day after tomorrow, William. See that you consummate your vows before I return.”
Will’s arm reflexively went in front of the new bride. “What?”
“The favor you promised,” reminded his grandmother. “I will take the girl.”
His cheeks flushed with rage. “I told you I wouldn’t bargain her. That’s why I traded an unbound favor instead!”
Aislinn smiled wickedly. “Perhaps you’re unclear on the meaning of an unbound favor. It’s worth more because it can be anything, including something as mundane as taking your bride. Next time don’t be stupid. Any deal is better than offering an unbound favor.”
Will’s jaw was set. “Then I’ll refuse.”
Selene grabbed his hand. “Wait. What are we talking about here?”
“She plans to take you away, to Faerie,” said Will.
Aislinn had a different answer. “Your husband is about to commit suicide.”
“Not ‘about to.’ I’ll say it plainly,” declared Will. “I, William Cartwright, will not—”
His words cut off as Selene clapped one hand over his mouth. “Will, not another word!” She faced his grandmother. “What do you mean? Suicide?”
Aislinn’s features were set in stone. “If he refuses to honor the favor, I will kill him. Here and now.” Then she glanced at Will. “And your name is William Maligant now. When a man marries into royalty, he must give up his own name, not the other way around.”
Selene shook her head. “I don’t want my name anymore. That’s not the point. What do you want from him?”
Will pulled his face away from her hand. “It doesn’t matter, I’m not trading you—”
The bride moved closer, wrapping her entire arm around his head. “Will Cartwright, I swear by all the gods we are going to have our first fight right here, in the street, if you—don’t—stop—talking!”
The groom was considering what would happen if he knocked Selene’s legs out from under her, but Aislinn was already speaking, “I want you, Selene Maligant, and if you will not come with me, my grandson will pay the price with his life.”
“You can go to hell!” screamed Will as he twisted around Selene so he could face his grandmother.
“Can I trade you a favor in exchange for his?” asked Selene desperately.
“You don’t have any standing,” argued Will. “You aren’t a true wizard.”
Aislinn chuckled. “She doesn’t have the right, but she doesn’t need it if I’m willing to accept her offer, and I will. You have a bargain, Granddaughter.”
“Deal,” exclaimed Selene.
“Too bad,” said his grandmother. “You no longer owe me anything.” She gave Selene a look of approval. “I made the same choice once, and though I’ve suffered for it these many centuries, I have never regretted it. You will make an excellent apprentice.”
Will struggled to stand up straight, since he and Selene were still entangled. He managed to get free, then promptly tripped and wound up sitting down hard on the steps. “A what?” he asked.
“You are not fit to train her yet,” said Aislinn. “And if she is not trained your marriage will be tragically short-lived.” Wicked laughter rang out from her lips. “I told you before that I wouldn’t take her humanity. You should have listened. Did you think I planned to use her as a sex slave for my depraved husband, or perhaps for his servants?”
Will was furious. “Of course, I did!”
Selene stared at him. “Will, I know she’s fae, but isn’t she your grandmother? You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“You don’t know her like I do. Wait until you meet her daughter. She’s a whore.”
Selene’s face paled, but Aislinn only laughed louder. “It’s true.”
“See?” said Will, feeling slightly vindicated. “Even she admits it.”
“All fae are to some degree. We’re rather proud of it,” agreed Aislinn. She looked at Selene. “If you’re willing, we could probably teach you things that would keep this choir boy you married blushing well into his second century.”
Selene’s face regained its color as her cheeks reddened. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“As you choose. I’ll come for you day after tomorrow.” Aislinn walked away, her figure fading into obscurity long before the distance would have dictated it should.
Epilogue
Secrets and Spellcraft Page 57
