Wraith(58)

Gabriel and I limped up to the castle. Along the way, people started to emerge from their houses, staring at us with gaunt, hunger-lined faces. I saw the small boy who’d risked his life for a few tomatoes and raised my hand in greeting. Of course he didn’t recognise me. I didn’t look like a wraith.

We shambled past with weary smiles. Ripples of jubilation were already running through the city. Stirling might not know the details but it knew what was happening and there were a lot of tears. By the time we reached the castle, the cries of delight and happiness could be heard on every street.

Less than an hour after Ghrashbreg breathed his last, we were standing in the main hall in the castle facing the Prime Minister. ‘Where’s the Stone of Scone’s shadow?’ he asked. ‘Once we get the Stone back to Holyrood we should reattach it.’ His face glowed. ‘Just think what that ancient power and magic can do for Scotland.’

I opened my mouth to answer but Gabriel spoke first. ‘Funny thing about shadows,’ he murmured. ‘They’re slippery. Imagine a helium balloon; when it’s no longer bound to the earth, it flies away. When shadows are no longer bound to their original physicalities, it is much the same. Not to mention that it’s a shadow.’ He looked at the flickering shapes that surrounded us. ‘It could be anywhere. Finding it again will be harder than finding a needle in a haystack.’

The Prime Minister was visibly disappointed. ‘Ah, I see. That is a shame.’

Rymark appeared in the doorway. ‘There’s quite a crowd gathering outside. I think all of Stirling must be out there. They want to see you, they want to know it’s all over.’

James smiled. ‘I’m on my way.’ He glanced at me. ‘Thank you, Saiya. I promise you that everything will be done to return Stirling to its former glory. You have my word.’ He turned and left.

Gabriel raised his eyebrows at Rymark. His old friend sighed in exasperation. ‘Fine,’ he said. ‘I’m going. You two can have all the privacy you need.’ He glanced at me. ‘For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. You’re a wraith and finding that out was … well, it was difficult for me.’

‘Don’t worry about it,’ I told him. I meant it as well; I was supposed to be the bogey man, after all. Who could blame him for what he’d thought? It was good to think that he was open-minded enough to change his views.

I thought of the other wraith I’d rescued and wondered whether he’d turn away from his murderous work and do something more charitable now. It would be nice to think so but I couldn’t demand it. We all have to carve out our own paths and live by our own morality. Wraiths who murder for nothing more than gold coin deserved to be hunted down – but they also deserved the chance to make different choices. That’s what freedom is. Ghrashbreg had been given that choice and so had Boxburn and the other goblins. And, in a way, Gabriel and I had been also.

Rymark bowed and followed the Prime Minister out of the door. As soon as Gabriel and I were alone, I raised my eyebrows. ‘You know I still have the shadow right here?’ I rummaged in my own dark gloom behind me, pulled it out and held it up.

He nodded. ‘I know. I also know that Prime Minister James is a good man. He’s honourable and forthright and, whether he always makes the right decisions or not, they are made with the best of intentions.’

‘You lied to him,’ I pointed out. That was a turn up for the books.

‘I did,’ Gabriel admitted. ‘Because sometimes the best intentions aren’t enough. And who’s to know who will succeed him? The best thing is for you to take the Stone’s shadow and hide it far from here. The Stone of Scone should not be a thing to be feared but neither should it be revered. It’s already caused enough suffering.’

I stared at it then passed it to Gabriel. ‘You can take it,’ I said quietly. ‘I trust you to find somewhere safe for it. I’m sure you can find a way to do that with your magic.’

For a long moment he didn’t move then he raised his eyes to mine. I was taken aback by the warmth in their black depths. ‘Maybe we should find somewhere to hide it together,’ he said. ‘All our success seems to come when we work together.’

I smiled. ‘Maybe we should do that.’ I scuffed the ground. ‘I’d like that. I want to spend more time with you so we can get to know each other before I’m forced to be barefoot and pregnant for the rest of my child-bearing life.’

‘Saiya, that would never—’

I interrupted him. ‘I’m joking.’

He relaxed. ‘Oh. I should have known that. You’re not always the easiest person to read.’

‘We’ll have to fix that,’ I said softly. ‘Bring everything out into the light, so to speak.’ I bit my lip. ‘I don’t know anything about you really. This soul-mate business hardly makes sense.’ Before he could argue with me, I held up my hands. ‘Let me finish. The destiny thing is weird – I can barely pronounce Fior Ghal, let alone understand it. I’ve spent so long on my own that being with someone else is alien to me. And there’s so much still to deal with. Between the remaining goblins and the state of Stirling…’ I sighed. ‘This is only just the beginning of what’s going to be a long road for all of us. Our story’s just starting.’

I fiddled with the buttons on my shirt. ‘The truth is that you’re the only person who can touch me who doesn’t make me recoil.’ I tapped my temple. ‘Ever since I met you, you’ve been here inside my head like – like some kind of bug that won’t go away. Except,’ I struggled to find the right words, ‘I don’t want you to go away. I’m terrified that you will, though. I’m terrified that you’ll get hurt or that I’ll say or do something to make you hate me again. And every time I look at you I just want to…’

‘What?’

I shrugged awkwardly. ‘Jump your bones.’

Gabriel laughed briefly before sobering up. He took my hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. ‘You were shocked that I lied to James but that’s not the only time I’ve lied or at least stretched the truth.’ His tongue darted out and wet his lips. ‘A Fior Ghal is a soul mate and not every Dark Elf finds theirs. Sometimes the ones who do are disappointed. Destiny might proclaim that they’re supposed to be together but the resulting relationships are not always … harmonious. That’s not going to happen with us. You’re the bravest, most honourable person I’ve ever met. If it takes a lifetime to prove to you that I’m worthy of you, that’s what I’m prepared to give. I might not know your favourite food or your background but I do know there’s no longer any life for me without you in it. I want you by my side. In everything.’

My mouth was inexplicably dry. ‘I feel the same. In everything.’

Gabriel suddenly smiled, dazzling me. He pulled me against him and, with his arms wrapped around me, I felt more safe, more comfortable and more happy than I’d ever thought I had the right to feel. It was nuts – but it was right.

The door burst open. ‘Saiya!’

Gabriel muttered a curse but when we realised who had interrupted us, we relaxed. Becky was standing there with a smiling Ange and a rather more worried Rymark hovering behind.

Becky beamed at the pair of us. ‘Thank you! Thank you so much!’ She darted towards me for a hug. I managed a tight squeeze. Perhaps I really was getting better at this human contact thing.

‘You saved us,’ Ange said. ‘You’ve saved Stirling.’

I coughed awkwardly. The last thing I wanted or needed was to be touted as the hero of this story. Even with Gabriel by my side, I enjoyed anonymity.

Sensing my discomfort, Gabriel stepped into the breach. ‘Actually,’ he murmured, ‘the real saviour was Marrock. He created the tunnels. Without him, none of this would have been possible.’ He glanced at me, as if checking that he was doing the right thing. He understood me better than he realised.

‘Yes,’ I nodded. ‘Marrock might have died but we should sing his name from every rooftop in Stirling. He achieved the impossible.’

Becky’s brow creased but Ange gently squeezed her elbow and her daughter shrugged. ‘We should build a statue to him then.’

I grinned. ‘We should.’

‘Can we all stay here now? Can we live in Stirling?’

‘We can.’ Gabriel’s arm rested across my shoulders. ‘If this is your home, Saiya, then this is where I want to be. You were right before. There’s a lot of work to be done to make this city everything it should be.’

Sally bustled in with an unsmiling Martin trailing in her wake. ‘You bet your bony arses there’s a lot of work.’ She waggled her finger at the teenager. ‘He’s coming with me to make up for hitting me over the head. Honestly! He’s lucky I’m not pressing charges. To make up for his actions, he’s going to spend the next six months getting my garden back up to scratch, then there’s decorating that needs to be done. And I’ve heard there’s some godawful Death Worm carcass laying out in the open just a few streets away from my home that needs clearing up. You, my boy, are going to be spending the rest of your teenage years making amends.’