The Last Ever After (39 page)

Suddenly Guinevere paled, her smile gone—

Agatha spun to see Tedros across the field, watching them.

“I'll go—” Guinevere started.

“No . . . stay,” her son ordered.

He moved towards Agatha in a grass-stained shirt and rumpled breeches, his eyes on his princess. “Everyone just . . . stay.”

As he approached, Agatha could smell dew and sweat on him and see the sleepless circles under his eyes. He ran his fingertips over the diadem, remembering its every bump and crevice, but his focus was still on her, his hand drifting down from the crown to her cheek to her mouth. Without a word, he bent and kissed her, long and slow, as if to make sure it was still the old Agatha inside and out.

“You're not allowed to take it off,” he whispered.

“Not even a ‘good morning' before you start bossing me around,” said Agatha. “Besides, are you trying to give orders to a queen?”

“Oh, so
today
you're a queen,” Tedros said, pulling her closer.

“Late bloomer if you haven't noticed,” said Agatha.

“Well, even so . . . a king is still a king.”

“Which means that your queen is
beneath
you?”

“No, only that you should do as you're told.”

“Or what?” Agatha chortled. “You'll put a death sentence on my—”

She saw Tedros' face and her whole body went cold.

Both of them turned to Guinevere, still there, white as a ghost.

“What's this?” Lancelot's voice blustered, as the knight galumphed into the grove with Hort. “A coronation we're not invited to?”

“I'm never invited to anything,” Hort muttered.

Neither Tedros, Agatha, nor Guinevere acknowledged them.

“Well, it's about time that blasted crown came to some use after all the trouble it's caused us,” Lancelot added. “Though you might want to give the girl a proper dress while you're at it. Diamonds don't go well with that shirt.”

Nobody laughed.

“A swimming start to the morning,” the knight cracked. “Well, make your wish, Agatha, and be done with it. Time for lunch and there's still chores to be done.”

Agatha looked at him. “Wish?”

Lancelot frowned. “At a proper coronation, you make a wish for your kingdom once you're anointed with the crown. It's the closing rite of the ceremony. Surely Gwen told you that much.”

“I'm afraid I've done a poor job, then,” Guinevere said softly, looking at her son.

Tedros held her gaze for a moment and turned away.

“Then I should make my wish, shouldn't I?” said Agatha, studying her prince. She stood up straighter. “I wish that all of us can sit down and have lunch together.”

Tedros' eyes snapped to her.

Guinevere froze to stone. Lancelot and Hort both held their breaths.

Agatha stayed locked on her prince, waiting for his answer.

Tedros said nothing, staring back at Agatha in her new crown.

The grove was quiet.

Tedros turned to his mother.

“Well, what are you making?” he asked.

Guinevere went apple red. Then her face crumbled and she shook her head, flooding hot tears. “It's—it's Monday—I-I-I don't have any food—”

“Hear that, boy?” said Lancelot. “Mum ain't got any food. That's what the death sentence was really for, wasn't it?”

Everyone gaped at him in horrified silence.

Then Agatha burst into cackles.

Seeing her, Tedros tried to resist, but started snickering too.

His mother was sobbing so hard she couldn't breathe, years of pent-up emotion pouring out of her. “It's not . . . not funny—”

The prince hung his arm around her and held her tight as she heaved into his chest. “We'll handle it, Mother,” he whispered. “Everything's going to be okay.”

Watching Guinevere and Tedros together, Agatha felt overwhelmed with emotion. They needed time alone, without anyone else—

“Leave making lunch to me and the boys,” she said quickly, eyeing Lancelot as she took Hort's hand.

“Me?”
Hort blurted. “Why can't the pampered prince do it? I didn't get a wink of sleep and then spent half the morning wrangling hogs while you and him spent last night snuggling in the barn, doing God knows wha—”

Agatha dug her nails into his wrist, making him yelp. “We'll be back with food soon,” she said, dragging him off.

“You'll need a lot more than you think,” a voice called.

Agatha turned to see a parade of silhouettes striding out of sun flare over the moors.

Merlin led them, followed by Hester, Anadil, Dot, Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Jack, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel, Gretel, Red Riding Hood, Yuba, the White Rabbit, and Princess Uma, all filthy, weary, and gawking around the magical moors as if they'd crossed through a portal from hell into paradise.

“I'll take care of the lunch menu,” said Merlin, “though we'll have to endure some grumbling from my hat. He's only just recovered from serving breakfast. But we have a lot to discuss and there isn't much ti—”

The wizard stopped hard at the sight of Agatha in her crown. So did everyone behind him, a rapt silence overtaking the moors.

Merlin smiled, his eyes big and blue. “In darkness comes a queen,” he whispered.

Slowly the old man bent down to one knee before Agatha and bowed his head. So did all his charges behind him, young and old. Then Guinevere, Lancelot, Hort . . . until Tedros gazed at Agatha squarely and sank to his knee too.

In that moment, beneath a dying sun, with an army of heroes kneeling before her, Agatha made a second wish. That she would be the queen that Good needed her to be.

“I don't see the big deal,” Cinderella mumbled so everyone could hear. “Looks like a giraffe in her granny's crown.”

But as they all walked towards the house together, the League's heroes sniffling quietly, Agatha could even see a tear in the old princess's eye.

27
Rebel Hearts

“W
hat if Merlin marshals the Ever kingdoms against us?” Sophie heard Professor Manley ask.

“For the last time, Bilious, Good
defends
, not attacks; the Ever kingdoms will not fight us if we do not fight them,” Rafal's voice growled. “Besides, they know better than to risk their people for a few decrepit heroes. Not that this will save them, of course. Once Sophie and I prove that Evil can win, we'll destroy the Ever kingdoms one by one.”

“And what if more of our students turn out to be spies for Good?” asked Professor Sheeks.

“What if Princess Uma brings an animal army?” pushed Pollux.

“If you're worried about our students'
ability to fight
animals
, then I wonder what business you have being a teacher at all,” the young School Master fired. “As for spies, Sheeba, I believe the threat of imprisonment in the Brig will deter any further rebellion.”

“'Cause that worked real well tonight,” Castor murmured.

Sophie wasn't paying attention to them as she inspected the food laid out at the back of Lady Lesso's old frozen classroom. Rafal had promised they'd serve lunch at the faculty meeting, but all she'd found was a stinking heap of cold mackerel, burnt potatoes, and crusty cheese.

She glimpsed her reflection in an iced wall and almost didn't recognize herself. Gone was the panicked, needy girl who'd chased a prince to Avalon and in her place, an imperious queen in a spiked crown and maleficent gown. Ever since yesterday's coronation before famous villains and former classmates, standing in homage to their new leader, Sophie had begun to feel like her old self. She glanced down at Merlin's white star, which she'd buried in her pocket. No doubt he'd left it to make her rethink her allegiance to Evil. Instead it had only recommitted her. Because like Agatha, that hoary, two-faced wizard had
used
her all along. He'd pretended to rescue her because he wanted to see her happy—when he'd just needed her to destroy her ring. Like Agatha, he didn't care if she ended up alone. She was nothing but a means to an end. A gullible stooge. A cog in Good's wheel.

And that didn't seem Good to her at
all
.

Oh, what she would have given to see that scheming meddler thrown into the iced dungeons, with his stupid cape and
infernal hat and doddering quips. Next time, she'd handle sealing prisoners in the Brig herself.

Her eyes refocused on the pitiful buffet and she glanced back at the seated teachers—Professor Manley, Professor Sheeks, Castor, Pollux, and Lady Lesso—who each had full plates of putrid food. Dean Aric was the only one missing from the gathering.

“I say the biggest problem we have is that we crammed all the Evil students into the old Good school and those numpty Nevers don't know that castle from their own arse,” Castor grouched. “Keep locking themselves in closets and falling down secret passageways. How can they protect a school if they don't know where anything is—”

“The biggest problem we have is the
food
,” Sophie's voice boomed.

Everyone in the room turned.

“If this is what's served at a faculty meeting—to the queen herself—what are the
students
enduring?” Sophie said, sitting beside Rafal on Lady Lesso's old ice desk. She slipped her arm under his. “Now that I've been crowned, I have the right to make a few changes around here. And you can't very well lead an Evil army that's bloated and malnourished, can you, darling?”

For a moment, the young School Master looked just as dumbstruck as the teachers. Then he touched Sophie's cheek. “Of course, my queen.”

“Lovely,” said Sophie. She glared at Pollux. “Do something about the food.”

Pollux looked as if he'd been pelted with manure.

Lady Lesso cleared her throat. “Rafal—”

“You mean
Master
,” said Sophie.

Lady Lesso's eyes flicked to her. The Dean gave her an amused look, as one might give a puppet claiming to have a mind of its own.

“Master,”
she simpered, back to Rafal, “I think what the rest of my colleagues are trying to say is that one cannot approach the coming war like an impetuous
child
. If Hester and Anadil, two of our best Nevers, turned out to be spies for Good, how can we trust the rest to be faithful to our cause? Tracking them into their future groups might sedate their instincts to rebel, but it cannot address their deeper loyalties. When faced with the choice of fighting with us or against us, we cannot predict what many of them will do, particularly those Evers whose families have fought for Good their whole lives. And speaking frankly,
Master
, to believe otherwise is to let your new youth impair your judgment.”

Sophie flared. “Quite sure Rafal and I know more about what young people think than
you
do, Lady Lesso.”

“Really?” The Dean fixed on her, the amusement gone. “Because all I see is a school full of students who will turn on you the second they get a chance.”

Sophie felt Rafal's arm tighten. He suddenly looked like an unsure teenager instead of an all-powerful sorcerer. How could he let the teachers question him like this?

Sophie puffed her chest. “Lady Lesso, I find it offensive that you would impugn our Master's leadershi—”

“What is it you're proposing, Lady Lesso?” Rafal asked, ignoring his queen.

Sophie went quiet.

“I propose that you avoid the students fighting for you at
all
,” said Lady Lesso. “Take the old villains into the Woods and ambush Merlin's forces before they reach our gates. Let the Dark Army finish them off before they ever get to school. The students will remain barricaded at school under our control.”

“It is the most sensible plan,” said Professor Manley, as if he and Lady Lesso had already discussed it. “Our students would only hamper your army.”

“It will prevent spies or sabotage,” said Professor Sheeks, clearly privy to the plan.

“And it will save students' lives,” added Castor, apparently part of the team too.

(Pollux frowned, as if it was the first he was hearing of it.)

“So the old villains will fight the battle while the young students lounge
here
?” Sophie glowered, incredulous. “And I assume you, our virtuous and valiant faculty, will avoid the front line too?”

“Can't very well leave the students unsupervised, can we? Given their
dubious
loyalties,” Lady Lesso glowered back, as if she wanted to gag Sophie with her crown.

Rafal smiled dryly at the teachers. “This isn't about loyalties at all, is it? You don't think we'll win. Now that I have youth on my side, you think I might lose this war.”

“Youth also brings with it reckless optimism and a willingness to risk the lives of fellow youth. Neither of which are
useful in war,” said Lady Lesso. “A war where half your own forces may not be on your side.”

Rafal held her eyes, but Sophie could see he was questioning himself even more now. She wanted him to punish Lady Lesso, to show his full strength as Evil's leader . . .

The young Master picked at his collar and looked away dismissively. “I'm afraid you've wasted your breath, Lady Lesso. Truth is, I'd already decided upon leaving the students at school before you ever mentioned it.”

“I bet,” Castor mumbled.

Sophie touched Rafal's waist. “Leaving the students
behind
, darling? Are you sure—”

The door crashed open and Aric stormed in.

“Can't believe you let them get away after what that demon-skinned wench did to me,” Aric fumed, the “CREEP” slashed into his forehead glowing bloodred. “Told you we should have gutted them and served them in meat pies at supper.”

“Because
that
would surely inspire loyalty from their fellow students,” Lady Lesso scorned. “You and the young School Master should replace our entire faculty with hot-headed, teenage boys. You could rename the towers Brashness, Arrogance, and Thuggery.”

Aric shoved his face in hers and grabbed her by the throat. “You think because you scared that demon off me, you can talk to me like that? You think because you called a few teachers to help your wounded ‘little boy,' all is forgiven?” he snarled, spit flying. “Well, I blame
you
for that witch-spy attacking me in the first place. You taught her these past two years, so clearly
something went wrong in her education if she attacks her own
Dean
.” Aric squeezed her neck harder. “But you're the Old Dean and I'm the New, mother. Which means when you're out, I'm in and this school goes my way. And trust me when I say you'll be out sooner than you
think
.”

Lady Lesso gurgled for breath—

“Aric, I'd prefer you kill your mother after the war is over,” said Rafal.

Sophie noticed his tone was dead serious.

Aric sensed this too, for he smirked at his mother and whispered in her ear. “And before I kill you, I'll kill your old fairy godmother friend too. Dovey, is it? I'll tear out her heart with my bare hands and make you watch.” He released her quickly and pulled back. “Of course, School Master. Please go on.”

Lady Lesso showed no emotion, but when her son turned to his seat, Sophie saw her eyes flicker with terror and her hand brush the marks he'd left on her throat.

“Then our plan for war is set,” Rafal resumed. “Once Merlin and his heroes approach, the old villains will ambush them in the Woods, while the young students defend the castles, under the teachers' supervision. You will not tell the young students they're staying behind in the coming war, of course. For the next week, they will train rigorously for combat alongside the old villains. This will ensure they're prepared in case any of Merlin's heroes make it past the Dark Army onto school grounds. As to who will be Training Leader of both schools—”

“Me,”
Aric and Lady Lesso both spouted.

Rafal ignored Lady Lesso and began to nod at Aric—

“I have a better idea,” said Sophie.

Rafal, Aric, and the rest of the faculty all turned to her.

“Hope it's as good an idea as the food one,” Castor muttered, drawing snickers.

“HOW
DARE
YOU,” Sophie hissed.

The room went still.

“I am your
queen
,” said Sophie, slinking towards the teachers. “Not a student, not a teacher, but a Master of both. Just like the young Master who sits in front of you and yet you continue to disrespect. No wonder our students doubt their loyalties to Evil when they have old, bitter teachers who see no value in youth or a young Dean who can't even protect himself.” She leered at Aric as she circled the teachers like a shark. “But that will change starting today. Because now they have
me
.

“When I was first appointed as a teacher, I resisted it. In my heart I still felt I was supposed to be Good. That's what Readers like me are taught, after all: Never lose your faith in Good, no matter how lost you are. And yet, the Good towers may have once been named Valor, Honor, Purity, and Charity . . . but when I was lost, it was Evil that extended me those things. The rules say Good defends, forgives, helps, gives, loves . . . but in my story, it's Evil that's proven these rules true. And suddenly I understood what Rafal has been trying to tell me all along. That some hearts are rebel hearts, pumping with anger and darkness and pain the way others pump with light. And yet, even if my heart beats for Evil, that doesn't mean I can't find love. That doesn't mean I can't find happiness. It
just means I have to find love with someone who embraces my darkness instead of fighting it. Because that's the love that will change the world. That's the love that will win this war. And that's the love we must teach.”