Chapter Thirty-Three

A hush had fallen over Edmund’s castle. Moving like shadows, the servants silently unravelled all that had been prepared for Lilyrose’s celebration. News that the curse had found its way to Edmund’s castle and claimed one of their own had shaken many. Such happenings should not be intruding on their lives.

Ronal lay on Arthur’s bed, having been carried there by Arthur himself.  Strangely devoid of colour, his hands folded across his torso, Ronal seemed to be in a peaceful sleep.

The only sound in the room was his mother’s weeping. Edmund had summoned Agnes and her husband, Evan, to their son’s side.

Lilyrose, her eyes red from crying, stood in her mother’s embrace, both of them enfolded in Lionel’s arms. Henry stood in the doorway, his face a mask of anger and sadness, one arm around Alice, the other around his mother.

Edmund and Arthur stood by the window with Arthur staring out the window. He kept clenching and unclenching his jaw, wanting nothing more than to throttle Marlis with his bare hands. He sucked in his breath as a whisper sounded in his ear. It was Garnet.

“Arthur, we must speak. Bring your father, Lilyrose and her parents to your father’s study.”

Loath to leave Ronal, Arthur spoke softly to his father who signalled Lionel. Moving quietly out of the room, Arthur asked Henry to keep watch.

As Edmund shut the door to his study, the gem elves stepped from the shadows.

His gaze fixed on Garnet, Arthur wanted her to explain what had happened when she’d touched him. It had seemed to ignite something deep inside him, like a rush of fire bursting through him. Since that moment, his pendant continued to radiate warmly against his skin. He wondered if she’d felt anything for she merely smiled now as she’d always done.

“Lilyrose,” said Diamond, “you are safe. Marlis failed to take you.” Though she spoke glad words, her voice was dull, her expression, slack. “But it has taken young Ronal instead.”

“It didn’t kill him, thank heavens,” said Edmund.

“That is because we tempered the curse itself. No matter who the curse hit, they would not die but fall into a sleep.”

“Even though it didn’t take Lilyrose, can it still be broken?” asked Lionel. “Will Ronal be freed from it?”

The elves nodded. “Yes, it can,” said Beryl. “But only with Marlis’ death.”

“Now that she knows Ronal is the elf lord, we must remain vigilant and keep him safe,” said Topaz. “She may yet try to take him.”

“But why?” Lilyrose’s brows pulled together as she continuously curled and uncurled the end of her braid. “She can’t make him do anything while he’s in this cursed sleep.”

“We cannot fathom her plans,” said Diamond. “Her hope of augmenting her powers, using his essence, it will come to naught. But she will not listen to reason. Trying to deal with one such as her is not only frustrating but dangerous also for we cannot anticipate her next move.”

“Have no fear,” said Peridot. “She will find she cannot enter here as easily as before. We will remain here – Beryl, Topaz, Garnet and I – while our sisters strengthen us from our realm.”

“Why wait for her to come here?” Arthur banged his fist against the wall, no longer wanting to contain his anger. “I’m no longer her target. We know she’s coming here with Hagen. I’ll ride out now and meet them wherever there are.” His face twisted with anger and fear. He was terrified of losing Ronal like he’d lost his mother.

“Arthur.” Edmund rubbed his forehead.

But it was Garnet who went to his side. She covered his fists with her hands. “Hush, dear one. The time to confront her will come.”

He drew a shaky breath. At Garnet’s touch, the warmth from before flared through his body again but, this time, settled into a soothing, pulsating sensation.

“That time will, indeed, come,” said Diamond. “You already know Hagen is coming here, and you are prepared. We can tell you that he is now mere days away.”

“What do I tell Ronal’s parents?” said Edmund. “How do I explain your presence? Or will you remain hidden from them?”

“It is easier to remain visible as to do otherwise would be a drain on our powers,” said Beryl.

“We will explain our presence by saying we are here because of Lilyrose,” said Sapphire. “As Ronal saved her from the curse, we need to keep watch in case Marlis returns to finish what she started.”

After a moment’s thought, they slowly nodded agreement. “There is more truth in there than not,” said Lionel.

“We will remain on the periphery and not intrude,” said Peridot.

“But if there is any hint of magic, we will sense it at once,” said Garnet.

“Then it is settled,” said Edmund. “We will leave Ronal in your safekeeping while we prepare for Hagen’s arrival. And you, old friend.” He clasped Lionel’s hand in his. “You must see your family safe.”

Lionel looked at him, askance. “Edmund. I’m staying. I know Lilyrose won’t agree to leave, not that I’m even going to ask her. And I am not leaving her.” He glanced at his daughter and was rewarded with a smile.

“But your women folk and young Alice–”

“I’ll send Eleanor, Sarah and Alice–”

“You’ll do no such thing.”

They turned to Eleanor, frowning at Lionel. “You’re my husband and I love you, but don’t decide for me. The two I love most are staying, which means I’m staying too.”

“Eleanor–”

She raised a brow and Lionel stopped.

“Sarah and Alice will return,” she said. “We will stay.”

Edmund’s gaze flicked from Lionel to Eleanor and back again. “I suppose there’s no point in saying anything.”

“I wouldn’t waste your energy,” said Lionel.