Page 185 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
Luna turned to Dillon. “Get down,” she said.
Dillon, thinking they were under attack, hit the floor. Luna laughed, and pulled him into a sitting position. “We’re safe,” she assured him.
“Then why did I need to get down—”
She grabbed his shirt and slammed her mouth against his. “I love you, too,” she said when they parted. “Now let’s find somewhere to patch you up.”
Dillon climbed numbly to his feet, a lopsided smile spread across his face. His hand stayed firmly in Luna’s.
They had almost reached the downtown area when a large, booming voice echoed from the palace gates, amplified by magic.
“Aislinn Ardenthorn!” Aeron called. “Return the prince by tomorrow evening, or face the consequences.”
Aislinn tried to ignore him, keeping her head down and slinking forwards.
“The boy is dying, isn’t he?”
Aislinn stilled.
“Don’t listen to him,” Luna hissed. “He can lie. We know he can.”
Maybe,thought Aislinn,but I don’t think he’s lying about this.
“The Mirror is calling to him. It wants his powers. He can survive the loss of them—maybe. But he won’t if you don’t bring him back within two days.”
The voice vanished.
“Come on,” Luna urged her. “If there’s anything we’ve learnt today, it’s that we shouldn’t do anything by ourselves.”
BeauimmediatelysprangintoAislinn’s arms as she entered, his fingers balling into her clothes, slightly trembling, giving the impression of a much smaller person. He did not say anything for a long time.
Aislinn patted his back. “I’m all right,” she assured him.
“Did you find anything out?”
“Not about the Mirror or Caer, but…” She pulled out of his arms, gesturing to the people behind her.
Beau hugged Dillon too, before turning to Cerridwen and stopping.
He took a step back. “Um… Ais… why does this stranger look like our grandmother?”
Cerridwen laughed. She reached out and patted Beau’s cheeks. “Why do these complete strangers look like my grandchildren?”
“Are you… is she… What happened in the castle?”
“An excellent question,” said Minerva, rising from her makeshift bed. “And one I would love to hear.”
Cerridwen frowned. “Minerva?”
“Cerridwen.”
“You’re missing an arm.”
“You’re supposed to be dead.”
“The rumours were somewhat exaggerated… although not greatly.”
Minerva nudged Bell with her metal arm. “Wake up, my dear. It’s time for a story.”
