Crown & Prophecy

23. Dead, Not Gone

The room was silent. No one moved an inch or a muscle. Most of the people in the room, had no idea who the crowd at the door was, or why they were there. Matilda knew Douglas and one or two more she recognized from long ago, but no more. Sylvia and Ben both knew Douglas as well, at least, they had seen him before anyway. Calum was the only one among them who knew them all, and he was delighted to see each and every one of them. The day Raveena murdered them, he felt like he had lost a piece of himself, like it had died with them. At least for now, the piece had returned. Even though he knew it would probably be for a short amount of time, Calum felt whole again.

"I can hardly believe it," he said, his voice full of emotion. "All of you. Here. And solid."

"It was not easy," Douglas revealed, "but we're glad to do it."

Sylvia didn't know what to say, nor did Ben. They both knew the story of how they had perished, and it was a miracle to see them standing there in front of them now. Sylvia stood.

"I don't mean to interrupt," she said softly, "but to do what? What are you all doing here?"

Merrick sat up in his chair. He wanted to know the same thing, and had planned to ask, but his daughter beat him to it.

Douglas smiled. "We're all here to help you win the war. I told Matilda I would explain, and I guess I better. Especially, since we showed up in King Merrick's castle uninvited."

Merrick cleared his throat. "If you are friends of Calum's, and you are here to help, you are more than welcome to be here."

He bowed respectfully. "Thank you. You have certainly changed your tune."

"I have," he agreed with a light chuckle. "My family and I have been through a lot these past few days, and it gave me time to reflect."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Hushed murmurs were exchanged among Calum's friends. Two of them, who had been hidden in the back, stepped forward. Calum's eyes grew wide. He recognized both of them immediately. They walked toward him, each taking a turn to hug his neck.

"It's so good to see both of you. Amelia, Blaze, I'm so glad you're here," Calum gushed. It was like a dream come true to see them standing before him.

"It's good to see you, Calum," Blaze told him. "I reckon we had to be here, didn't we? Seeing as how you fought to save us like you did."

"Yes."

Amelia grinned. "I didn't know you long, but I'm still glad to see you. You're one of the most powerful sorcerers I know."

"Maybe," Calum said, "but I know one more powerful than I am." He turned to Sylvia. She was still standing there by her chair, her hands clasped together in front of her. "Sylvia is The Prophecy."

Blaze raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Douglas told us about her, but I had no idea she was in the room with us." He waved to her, and Sylvia returned the gesture. He leaned toward Calum. "She's a looker, isn't she?"

He gave his old friend a glare. "Yes, but she's spoken for, so don't get any ideas."

"By whom?" He glanced across the table from Sylvia at Ben. "By him?"

"No. By me."

Blaze's eyes widened. "Really?"

Calum nodded.

Amelia grinned. "I never would have seen this coming."

"Me either," Calum admitted. "And Merrick doesn't seem to mind right now. I told him I love her."