Chapter Thirty-Two

The news that Hagen and Marlis were on their way did nothing to deter Edmund’s plans for Lilyrose’s birthday.

Standing in the garden outside the solar, watching the servants scurrying back and forth like ants, Arthur smilingly shook his head at the transformation they’d wrought. The grass, which had been cropped and smoothed, was marked out by four poles swathed in alternating colours of amethyst and silver, their tops joined by cloth strung between them. As he watched, tables were being laid out, covered with cloth. He had to dance out of the way as chairs were brought trooping past him.

Despite keeping the celebration low-key, Edmund had planned a picnic, complete with music and dancing. After all, it was to celebrate a sixteenth birthday. And the unspoken hope was that the day would pass without incident.

Arthur felt a warmth grow in his chest, filled with pride for his father. A slap on his shoulder startled him out of his reverie.

“I think she will like this,” said Ronal, a big grin on his face, Henry next to him.

“I cannot wait for her to see.”

Henry looked around. “Is she not here yet?”

“Still getting ready, I heard Lady Eleanor say.”

“Lord Edmund,” said Sarah as she and Eleanor exited the solar with Edmund. “This is beautiful. I didn’t imagine–”

“Nothing to do with me, Sarah. This is all thanks to you and Eleanor. All I did was come up with the idea. If the execution had been left to me.” He finished with a snort.

“It’s good to be aware of our short-comings, my friend,” said Lionel. “Between us, we’d have had Lilyrose in tears.”

As they laughed, Alice came running, cheeks flushed, slightly breathless. “Our guest of honour is almost ready. Tilly is finishing with her hair.”

Edmund clapped his hands. “Hurry now. She’s almost here.”

Four musicians came at a brisk walk, cradling their instruments, and took their places by the dance area.

“What?” Arthur glanced at Ronal who’d murmured something. He fixed him with a stare. “Ronal? What’s the matter?”

Frowning slightly, Ronal’s unfocussed gaze darted about, his fingers lightly tapping his chest. “Something, I feel something, something doesn’t feel right…” His gaze slowly focussed on Arthur. “I think its… Lilyrose–”

Not waiting for him to finish, Arthur raced into the castle, his father’s confused shout following him. He took the stairs two at a time, vaguely aware of Ronal behind him.

“Oh, Tilly!” Lilyrose beamed at her maid, turning her head and peering over her shoulder. “You always do such magnificent things with my hair.” Tilly had loosely braided sections of her hair with burgundy ribbons before securing them in one thick braid.

She laughed. “My lady, it makes me happy that you always like what I do and never complain. Although, you don’t always sit still.”

Giggling, Lilyrose got to her feet, stepped forward and spun around, her burgundy dress floating around her. “I better go before they start without me.”

“Oh, my lady, as if they would. You are the guest of–no, you cannot go yet.” She flapped her hands.

“Tilly–”

“There’s one more thing. Lady Alice must have left it in her chamber.”

“Does it matter?” Lilyrose struggled to hide her impatience.

Already at the door, Tilly paused. “It’s a surprise, my lady. From Lady Alice and Master Henry.”

Relaxing, she smiled. “Then I’ll wait.”

Tilly ran out, not quite closing the door behind her.

Facing the mirror, Lilyrose closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Here we are,” she whispered. “The fated day has arrived, and no one has said one word about it. It’s as if ignoring it will rob the curse of its power.” Opening her eyes, she stared at her reflection. “I will not be afraid. I will not let it have–” She jumped, having spied someone slip into the room. Facing the person, she pressed her hand to her chest to calm the erratic pounding of her heart.

It was an ancient and wrinkly woman, so old she was bent with age.

“Hello, mother.” Lilyrose was sure she’d never seen her before in all the years she’d come to this castle; she’d have remembered a woman this old.

The woman’s rubbery lips parted in a toothless smile. “Child, I have a little gift for you.”

“Oh, that is very kind of you, mother, but there was no need for you to trouble yourself.” Although she smiled, Lilyrose wondered at the brightness of the old woman’s eyes and the strength in her voice.

“Here, take it.” She held out a wrapped cylindrical object.

About to extend her hand, Lilyrose hesitated. She didn’t know why, but she didn’t want to take it. Clasping her hands together, she wracked her brain for an excuse.

The woman thrust it at her. “Take it. You would not insult an old woman, would you?”

Her conscience pricked her, and she took a step closer.

“Here it is–oh.” Tilly walked in. “What are you doing in my lady’s chamber?”

The inexplicable doubt flared again when Lilyrose caught the flash of anger in the old woman’s eyes.

“I mean no harm. I have a gift for the princess, that is all.”

Tilly went to Lilyrose’s side, a deep frown on her brow. “That’s very kind but, still, no reason for you to be here. You can give your gift when my lady is downstairs.”

“But it is special–”

“I’m sure it is.”

“I’m old, I do not take well to crowds of people.”

Tilly clicked her tongue and reached out. “Oh, give it here then.”

“No. It is not for you.”

“I know that.” By now, Tilly’s patience had been worn down. “I’m simply going to put it aside for my lady.”

“Never mind, Tilly, I’ll take–” Lilyrose paused when she heard Arthur calling to her, then Ronal calling as well. She and Tilly glanced at one another then at the door.

“Get out of the way, meddling fool.” The woman, moving too fast for one so old, shoved Tilly out of the way; the maid fell, her head struck the table.

“Tilly!” Lilyrose ran to her maid, lying unconscious on the floor. “What have you done?”

The old woman ripped the cloth from the object and sprang at her, brandishing the spindle, the sharp end almost touching her.

With a cry, Lilyrose fell back, scrabbling away from the nimble woman.

The door swung open. Arthur ran in. And stopped, staring at the scene. Ronal pushed past him and stopped also.

“Spindle.” Lilyrose rolled out of the way, growling as her skirt bunched up around her.

Ronal lunged forward, grabbed the woman and pulled her back.

She howled with rage and turned to grapple with him.

Lilyrose pushed herself to her feet in time to see the spindle end pierce Ronal’s finger. She screamed.

Arthur grabbed her, placing himself between her and the woman as Ronal crumpled to the ground, a tell-tale bead of blood on his finger.

The old woman started to straighten her bent frame. Billowing folds of black surrounded her as she gradually took on the form of…

“Marlis.” Garnet spat her name as she appeared by the window.

Lilyrose’s eyes bulged as she felt Arthur tense next to her.

Marlis’ eyes, dark bruises on her pale skin, widened at the sight of Garnet.

“I will not be stopped.” Marlis made a grab for Arthur who seemed frozen in place.

Moving swiftly, Garnet grabbed his arm. He gasped.

Lilyrose, heart pounding, frowned as she realised Arthur and the gem elf were staring at each other, as if in a daze.

“You. Wait.” Marlis’ eyes narrowed as she slowed. “You have elf essence but. You are not the elf lord. Yet how is it I feel his presence?” Looking around, her gaze came to rest on the prone Ronal. “You. It is you.” She darted forward to grab him.

Lilyrose seized the spindle, lying next to Ronal and thrust it at Marlis. “No. Don’t touch him.”

Marlis cried out, clutching her arm. Hissing in anger, she wrapped her cloak around herself and disappeared.