Moondance of Stonewylde (17 page)

‘I don’t want to lie there right now,’ he said softly. ‘It’s still much too strong a sensation, not pleasant at all.’

‘How long’s she been up there? Twenty minutes?’

‘Don’t know. My damn watch has stopped again. Must be something to do with the energy pulses. Last time I kept her up there until the moon was really high. We’ll see how it goes. Oh look at the eggs! They’re starting to glow already!’

He started a relay of egg holding that went on for a long time. As soon as they were glowing strongly he’d replace them with fresh ones and put the charged ones in the chest. He noticed it was taking longer as the moon rose higher. Every time he knelt on the rock to swap the eggs he received a blast of the energy, and soon he was buzzing with it. Clip lay on the grass with his long legs stretched out, feet just touching the moon stone so he too could absorb the moon power.

Sylvie only shuddered gently now, although the silver light still danced over her body and chased into the stone. She was becoming aware of her surroundings as the moon slowly turned bright silver and grew smaller in the sky.

‘It’s been a good hour,’ said Clip. ‘Shall we take her off?’

‘What for? She’s fine. The energy’s still pouring through her into the rock. And besides, we’ve only done about half the eggs. No, she can carry on for a lot longer.’

Yul rose from the grass, his tears long since dried. He felt hollow with sadness. The hares had stopped their wild cavorting and sat upright, great ears laid back and lozenge eyes gazing up at the silver moon. They’d marked out the paths in honour of the Bright Lady and could now moongaze in peace. Yul stepped delicately around them and made his way down the hill through the boulders and back into the woods. He wondered whether Sylvie had enjoyed the Moon Fullness up at Mooncliffe with Magus. He hoped not. He hoped that by some miracle she would come back to him in August for the Corn Moon.

‘I really think she’s had enough,’ said Clip. ‘Look, the eggs are taking ages to charge up.’

‘Yes, but they
are
still charging. She’s alright, she can take it. Stop fussing.’

Clip shrugged. He wouldn’t argue with his brother; there was no point. Sylvie’s eyes blinked, and when Magus changed the eggs over again she gazed at him with the same beseeching look as last time.

‘Let me go! Please!’ she mouthed silently.

Magus ignored her and glanced down at Clip, who lay oblivious on the grass with his feet on the stone, soaking up energy and staring at the star-spangled sky above.

A while later Magus noticed tears on her cheeks, like diamonds in the bright moonlight.

‘Please let me go,’ she whispered.

‘What was that?’ asked Clip. ‘Did she say something? She’s done enough, Sol. It’s been at least two hours. You must’ve got all the eggs charged now.’

‘Not quite – still four to go. She can take a little more. Last time I left her up there until she fell down.’

‘Yes, because you’re cruel. For Goddess’ sake, she must be exhausted. Haven’t you any feelings?’

‘You’ll be grateful when you have these eggs all month to keep you buzzing with energy. Shut up and leave it to me, like you always do.’

Not long after this, Sylvie’s legs gave way and she crumpled onto the stone.

‘There, that’s it!’ cried Clip, jumping up in alarm. ‘She can’t take any more.’

‘Hold on! She’s okay. She’s lying down now and there are only two more eggs to do. Just watch – she’ll be fine for a little bit longer. She can take it, I know she can.’

He climbed onto the stone with the last two eggs whilst Clip wandered off to gaze across the dark water. Magus straightened Sylvie out so she lay on her back, arms by her sides on the stone and palms upwards. He placed an egg on each hand and sat back to watch. The silver threads still ran over her body, but faintly now. He could feel an immense swell of power pulsating in the stone beneath him. It was far, far stronger than last month’s. His insides felt molten with energy and power. He felt as if he could jump off the cliff and fly. He laughed with exhilaration.

Sylvie’s eyes turned in her head and locked onto him.

‘I must get down from this stone,’ she croaked. ‘It hurts so much. Please let me go now. I’ve given you my magic.’

Clip came over and sat on the rock next to his brother, gasping in amazement as the force shot up into his body. But then he caught sight of Sylvie’s huge staring eyes.

‘What was that? Did she say something?’

‘She’s fine. Look, the eggs are just starting to glow. I want all the magic this month with nothing wasted. Just ten more minutes for these last eggs to charge and then we’ll take her off.’

‘Now!’ she groaned. ‘It hurts.’

‘That’s it, Sol,’ said Clip, leaning across and sitting her upright. He cradled her in his arms as she lolled lifelessly, unable to support herself. ‘You’re being unnecessarily cruel. Poor girl! She’s done more than enough.’

He lifted Sylvie off the stone like a little rag doll, and as he looked down at her lying in his arms, something inside him stirred. She was so vulnerable. What had they done to her?

‘You really are an insatiable bastard, Sol,’ he muttered, laying her down gently on the grass. ‘Just look at her – she’s exhausted. You’ve drained her completely. Why did you make her go on for so long?’

‘Never mind that! You’ve lost one of the eggs, picking her up like that. It rolled off and I can’t see it anywhere.’

‘For Goddess’ sake, Sol, stop it! She looks terrible. Look! She’s unconscious. I can hardly hear her breathing.’

He laid his head lightly on her chest.

‘Sacred Mother, she’s barely breathing at all!’ he cried. ‘You greedy, selfish bastard! If you’ve killed her …’

‘Let me see,’ said Magus harshly, pushing him aside and feeling her neck for a pulse. ‘Stop fretting, she’s fine. This is how she was last time. She’ll be alright once we’ve got her home. You head back to the Hall with her while I padlock the chest. I’ll have to come back in the morning to look for that missing egg.’

Eventually they climbed the stairs to Sylvie’s bedroom and put her into bed. Her breathing was still shallow but steady. Miranda had left a glass of water on the bedside table and Clip tried to help her drink. But the water trickled down her chin and he gave up, lying her back down again and gently stroking the tangled hair off her face. She sighed and snuggled into the pillow.

‘See?’ said Magus. ‘She’s absolutely fine. A few days of rest and she’ll be up and about and good as new. It was so much easier this time without her struggling. I want you to make sure she remembers the commands again, like you did before. Really drive it into her head. I want her to be desperate to dance for me again.’

Clip shook his head, looking at his brother with distaste.

‘I can’t believe you sometimes, Sol. You remind me of your father, you know.’

Magus shrugged. ‘Well that’s hardly surprising, is it? Are you coming now? It’s getting late.’

‘I know it’s late; we’ve been out far too long. I’ll stay here and sit with Sylvie for a little while. I’m still not convinced she’s alright. What’s the great rush?’

‘Clip, it’s the Moon Fullness! You know how I celebrate the full moon. And especially now I’m so charged up.’

Clip rolled his eyes and shook his head again.

‘So you’re going next door to visit her mother now?’

‘Goddess no! Miranda’s far too clingy and dull. I may visit her during the month to keep her happy, but certainly not tonight. No … I’ve got one of our Lammas visitors waiting. Infinitely more exciting than Miranda, and she told me she’s been waiting a long time for this. I mustn’t disappoint her, and thanks to little Sylvie’s gift, there’s no danger of that!’

‘You disgust me, Sol,’ said Clip quietly. ‘Close the door behind you.’

T
he brilliant morning sun sparkled on every surface in Sylvie’s bright bedroom. It twinkled through the tiny diamond-shaped panes of glass and picked out the colours in the rug on the polished floorboards. In the corner, Magus, Clip and Miranda stared down at Sylvie lying motionless and ashen in her bed.

‘She’s just the same as the last time, only worse,’ said Miranda.

‘That’s a contradiction in itself,’ said Magus impatiently. He was in high spirits, bubbling with energy and verve, which only served to emphasise Sylvie’s corpse-like state.

‘I mean there was none of that restlessness or whimpering that she suffered back in May, when she’d been out with Yul in the woods. She’s like she was last month when you took her up to the cliffs, only this time she seems even worse. I checked on her last night at about midnight and at first I honestly thought she was dead. I can’t tell you what …’

She choked on the words, unable to express just how terrified she’d been. Clip patted her arm sympathetically but she gave him a cold glance.

‘You see?’ said Magus, his voice loud in the subdued room. ‘You start fussing and then what happens? You must think of the baby, Miranda. That was exactly the situation I’d hoped to avoid.’

‘Please don’t be cross,’ she pleaded. ‘Really, Magus, I’m not fussing. It’s just that—’

‘I think we should get Hazel in to look at Sylvie,’ said Clip. He took one of her lifeless hands in his. There was no response at all
and her breathing remained almost silent. ‘I’m worried, Sol.’

‘For Goddess’ sake!’ exclaimed Magus. He shouldered Clip aside and sat on the bed next to Sylvie’s supine body. He felt the pulse in her neck again, as he’d done the previous night, and placed his hand on her forehead. Miranda fidgeted by his side, longing for the courage to agree with Clip and summon Hazel but unwilling to anger Magus further. He frowned down at Sylvie, also in a dilemma.

‘How do we know she isn’t just putting this on?’ he said. ‘A bit of attention-seeking to get us all worried?’

‘You can’t fake a slow heartbeat and cold skin,’ said Clip.

‘Do you think she’s cold?’ asked Miranda anxiously, fiddling with the covers and trying to pull them up higher. ‘I’m just not sure. Magus, I really do think we should—’

‘For Goddess’ sake shut up, Miranda!’ Magus barked. ‘Get out of here! You’re driving me up the wall. Go down to the Dining Hall and find Hazel. Tell her we need her up here but it’s not urgent. Let her finish her breakfast first. And stay down there and have breakfast yourself. I don’t want to see you back here until you’ve eaten. Go on!’

When a dejected Miranda had left, he rose and turned to Clip.

‘Do it now,’ he commanded. ‘Before they come back.’

Clip shook his head and Magus took a step towards him, frowning ominously.

‘What the hell’s the matter with you? We don’t want her blurting anything out in front of the women! You must reinforce the commands and make sure she keeps it secret. Quick!’

‘There’s no point,’ said Clip. ‘I won’t be able to wake her when she’s like this. Don’t worry – I doubt she’s capable of speaking to anyone and if she does, they’re hardly going to believe her, are they?’

‘Mmn. I suppose you’re right. But you must do it later.’

‘You are the most selfish, unfeeling person I’ve ever come across,’ said Clip with unusual temerity. ‘Sylvie’s ill because of what you’ve done to her, but all you can think of is covering your own back.’

‘What
we’ve
done to her, Clip. You were as much a part of it as me. And she’s tired, not ill. She’ll be fine in a few days, you’ll see.’

Clip shook his head again, his thin face miserable.

‘You know what you need, Clip? A visit to Mooncliffe! I’ve been up there this morning and believe me, I feel on top of the world. Go and lie on the rock for a while and you’ll stop this whinging. You’ll realise that a little suffering on Sylvie’s part is nothing if it means a constant source of moon magic for us. A small sacrifice on her behalf for the good of Stonewylde.’

Hazel was mystified at Sylvie’s condition, and Miranda didn’t help with her jumbled attempts to explain Sylvie’s strange behaviour during the full moon. In the end Magus lost his temper and dismissed both Clip and Miranda. He needed Hazel to do whatever was necessary for Sylvie, but without knowing too much. She may be in his thrall but she was a doctor too; he didn’t know where her loyalties would lie.

‘Her pulse is slow but steady,’ said Hazel, releasing Sylvie’s thin wrist. ‘Apart from being a little cold, there doesn’t appear to be anything really wrong. She just seems exhausted, that’s all.’

‘Exactly!’ said Magus. ‘I knew those two were fussing unnecessarily. They’ve been behaving like a couple of old women and it’s not helping Sylvie at all. What she needs is rest and warmth, just as I thought.’

‘And fluids maybe, if she doesn’t wake up. I could put a drip in later on if she’s the same. But what happened to her? I’ve never seen her like this before, not even when she was so ill in London.’

‘Hazel …’

Magus’ dark eyes regarded her steadily and he gave a small smile. He watched Hazel’s expression change under his glittering gaze. He held out his arms to her and she flew into them, to be crushed in his embrace. He bent his head and began to kiss her, slowly and very thoroughly. Soon the last thing on her mind was the sleeping girl lying only an arm’s-length away.