Solstice at Stonewylde Read online

  ‘You’d better go back to the Barn, Rosie, if they’re going to join me.’

  ‘Right enough, miss. ‘Tis not my place to butt into your Hallfolk talk and—’

  ‘No, no, it’s not that, Rosie! I’d much rather be with you than any of that lot – you’re far nicer company than them. I’d just rather you didn’t get mixed up in all their nastiness. I’ll see you back inside.’

  Rosie squeezed her arm sympathetically and walked off back to the Barn, ignoring the girls’ rude comments as she passed them. Sylvie quickened her pace, continuing the circuit of the Green. Holly came running up and overtook her, capering about in front of her and laughing. Holly was fit and athletic and Sylvie had a sudden memory of her leaping from the apple tree and landing on Yul, wrapping her muscular legs around his hips. She swallowed and kept her head down, forced to slow her fast strides.

  The rest of them were coming up behind – July, Wren, Dawn and the group of younger girls.

  ‘Why are you ignoring me, Sylvie?’ asked Holly. ‘Do you only mix with scummy Villagers now?’

  ‘Villagers aren’t scummy!’ she said hotly.

  ‘Ooh! Maybe you should move out of the Hall and live in the Village if you like them so much. You’ve been sitting with Villagers all day, haven’t you?’

  ‘No,’ said Sylvie. ‘I sat with Hallfolk making rush mats earlier on.’

  ‘Not for very long. You’ve been with Yul’s mother and sister most of the time, I noticed. You’re very friendly with them, aren’t you?’

  ‘Not especially,’ said Sylvie. ‘I just preferred making patches for the quilts, that’s all.’

  ‘That’s a lie – you’re very friendly with them, Sylvie, and you were even walking round the Green with Yul’s sister just now. I heard some interesting gossip this morning. I heard that you and Yul are sweethearts!’

  Sylvie’s heart sank. Holly fell into step beside her as the rest of the girls caught them up, and Sylvie felt Holly’s dark eyes watching her, sizing her up.

  ‘So you’re not denying it then?’ she asked, spoiling for a fight.

  ‘I’ve got nothing to say to you!’ retorted Sylvie.

  ‘So is Yul your boyfriend? I want to know, Sylvie, and I’ll find out if I have to go and ask him myself.’

  ‘It’s none of your business!’

  ‘Ooh! I take it that’s a yes.’

  ‘Take it however you want, Holly.’

  Sylvie strode as fast as she could, not looking at any of them, her long silver hair wafting around her as she marched doggedly on around the Green. She was now taller than Holly by quite a way and despite Holly’s slim fitness, Sylvie’s legs were much longer so Holly had to trot to keep up with her.

  ‘We’re sick of this, Sylvie,’ said July. ‘You know that Holly’s keen on Yul. Why are you stealing another of her boyfriends?’

  ‘Yeah, you’re just a prize bitch really,’ said Wren. ‘First you take Buzz away from her – when you didn’t even want him – and now you’re taking Yul away too.’

  Despite intending to ignore them, Sylvie found herself drawn into the argument.

  ‘Have I missed something?’ she asked. ‘Is Yul actually your boyfriend then, Holly? How can I take him away from you if he’s not?’

  ‘Shut up, you cow!’ snarled Holly.

  ‘Why? Because what I’m saying is true? I heard Yul won’t go anywhere near you and can’t stand the sight of you. That’s got nothing to do with me.’

  ‘Yes it has! He was keen enough till you arrived! It’s like Buzz, all over again!’

  ‘You’re so greedy, Sylvie,’ said Rainbow. ‘First Buzz, then Magus and now Yul!’

  ‘Greedy for men! She can’t get enough of it!’

  ‘Stop it!’ said Dawn, frowning at them all. ‘There’s no need for that.’

  But they started to chant and dance around Sylvie, taunting and jeering, and she was reminded sharply of her school life in London.

  ‘I wish you’d never come to Stonewylde!’ cried Holly, skipping along. ‘Nobody likes you! Why don’t you go back to the Outside World and whatever hole you crawled out from?’

  ‘Why should I? This is my home now and I’m not going anywhere. Get used to it, Holly!’

  ‘We don’t want you here! Don’t you realise how unpopular you are?’

  ‘It’s your fault Buzz was banished! And now you’ve got your hooks into Yul, just because Holly wants him. You better leave off him, Sylvie!’ warned July.

  ‘Yeah, and Magus too!’ said Wren, still besotted after her stint as the Corn Mother at Lammas.

  ‘You can’t have them both!’ cried Holly. ‘It’s not fair! Goddess knows what they see in you anyway, a skinny beanpole like you! Does Magus know about you and Yul? I bet he doesn’t! I might just tell him. He’d be furious and it’d serve you right!’

  Sylvie stopped. She was almost back at the Barn now and must deal with this situation, although she wasn’t sure how.

  ‘Look, Holly, if you’re really interested in Yul you won’t repeat any of this to Magus. I’m not the one he’d be furious with and he’ll just take it out on Yul. You must’ve heard what happened at Samhain, so if you like him you won’t say anything. Unless you want him to suffer?’

  ‘Don’t be stupid, of course I don’t!’

  ‘Then leave me alone and stop stirring it up!’

  ‘You haven’t heard the last of this!’ Holly hissed as the crowd of girls swept in through the massive doors.

  As the afternoon drew in and the light began to fade, the women in the Barn packed away their projects ready for the following morning. The Barn was used every night by different groups and everything had to be left tidy. The rushes and patchwork quilts were put to one side, along with the flax for spinning and the wool for felt-making. The women bid each other a good evening, and the Villagers hurried home to get the supper cooking. The Hallfolk were not so rushed as the servants had left earlier and would be busy on their behalf up at the Hall.

  As they left the Barn the sky was pink and pearly to the southwest where the sun was setting. The birds still sang up in the great circle of trees that surrounded the Village Green, and Sylvie thought of the professor and all that he’d told her about the history of this part of Stonewylde. She remembered the great carved wooden face set into the wall of the pub, and the photo of Yul the professor had given her back in late summer. That photo was her most treasured possession, capturing something very magical that not many had seen, but Sylvie knew that Yul was the embodiment of the Green Man and all that he represented at Stonewylde.

  She smiled to herself, remembering the funny little professor. They’d kept in touch since he’d left in August, e-mailing each other occasionally, and she must write again. He knew nothing yet about Samhain’s terrible events and Magus’ revelation, and she felt he should as he’d made it clear that he was on her and Yul’s side. It was obvious that Stonewylde meant everything to him and she thought again how cruel Magus was, only allowing him back for a few weeks a year. The old man would’ve loved to spend his last years back in the place where he’d grown up and where he belonged. There were plenty of empty rooms at the Hall and he was no burden to anyone. Sylvie vowed that when Magus had gone, she’d make sure Professor Siskin was invited to return to Stonewylde for good.

  The sky was now soft violet and grey; the sunset a vivid flamingo pink. The air was quite mild for November and Sylvie stood outside the Barn and breathed deeply. A stable hand had arrived with one of the large painted carts pulled by two horses, which were used to transport Hallfolk between the Hall and Village. Several Hallfolk women climbed in and settled themselves on the padded seats. Sylvie watched the cart roll away across the cobbles, soon overtaking the large group of women who’d chosen to walk the distance up the track to the Hall. She heard the gang of girls up ahead, still making too much noise in the quiet evening, and breathed a sigh of relief.

  All was now calm and peaceful as Sylvie lingered in the shadows, waiting a little lon
ger, her heart thumping with anticipation at the prospect of seeing Yul. She didn’t notice Holly, who also loitered around the side of the Barn, hiding in the lee of a buttress. When Sylvie thought the coast was clear she hurried across the Green where plump woodpigeons pecked in harmony on the damp grass. She reached the yew tree and disappeared into the half-light. Holly was careful not to be seen as Sylvie melted into the shadows beneath the tree, and waited before moving forward herself.

  Sylvie entered the yew’s sphere and felt the atmosphere alter. The air was somehow different, time was a little changed and her skin felt strange. She thought of the scientific explanations possible; perhaps the oxygenation process caused by the transpiration of such a huge tree ionised the air all around it. But her heart told her it was the magic of the tree spirit causing the changes, however irrational that sounded. She smiled, knowing that in her old life she’d have laughed at such a theory but now knew it to be the truth.

  Yul leant against the massive tree trunk, dark curls falling across his face, his grey eyes shadowed. She felt a starburst of excitement at the sight of him, tall and pale and waiting for her. She ran the last few steps and was enfolded in his arms, his lips bruising hers as he kissed her long and hard.

  ‘I can’t stay long,’ she gasped, pulling away reluctantly. ‘Mum will wonder why I didn’t return with the others. They’re all on my back at the moment and I must be careful. How are you feeling?’

  ‘Much better thanks. I’m going up to the Circle tomorrow, which will help, and Old Greenbough’s said I’m not to go back to work for a while. He’s on our side, Sylvie! He said if we need help he’ll do anything he can.’

  ‘That’s good news. We’ve got Marigold and Cherry up at the Hall too, and they said there are many others who feel the same way.’

  ‘I think most of them do. The time is coming closer, Sylvie, and we need to make plans. The next Moon Fullness …’

  He felt her shudder as he spoke and held her close against his body, stroking her hair.

  ‘Sylvie, I let you down last time and I swear it won’t happen again. I’d die rather than let him to feed off your moon magic on that rock again.’

  ‘No, Yul.’

  She pulled back a little and looked up at him in the fading light. She could see the shadows in the hollows of his lean face.

  ‘Dying wouldn’t help. Awful as it is, I can survive moongazing on the rock. Don’t sacrifice yourself for nothing.’

  ‘No!’ he said vehemently, shaking his head. ‘He won’t do it to you again. I’ve sworn an oath to myself. I need to get you away before moonrise next Moon Fullness – not so early that he has time to look for you, but not so late that there isn’t time for us to get far away. You understand we won’t be able to go to Hare Stone?’

  She nodded. ‘I don’t think or act rationally at moonrise so I’ll do whatever you say, and you know I trust you completely to take care of me.’

  ‘I’ll find somewhere we can hide, and once the moon’s high the danger’s mostly passed. I think Magus can only take your magic at the rising. But he must believe everything’s fine and not get suspicious, or he’ll lock you up or make Clip put another spell on you. I know it’s awful, but you must go along with whatever he says over the next couple of weeks. Can you make him think you’re coming round to his way of thinking? Because if he found out we’re meeting like this …’

  ‘I’ll try my best. He’s due back very soon, and I know he’s going to give me a hard time, but I won’t stand up to him—’

  She stopped abruptly as he bent to kiss her again, his tongue skilful, his hands now more assured than the first time they’d kissed under this tree at the Summer Solstice. She’d wanted him then, but the feelings were now infinitely stronger. Everything was more intense and she felt herself dissolving into a wave of pure desire. Sylvie wondered if Yul felt the same, little appreciating just how tightly he controlled his longing for her.

  ‘Stop, Yul,’ she said shakily, pulling away from him. ‘It’ll show and Mum will know what I’ve been up to. I must go.’

  She stumbled a few steps towards the grass.

  ‘Will you be in the Great Barn tomorrow?’ he called softly.

  ‘Yes. I’ll see you here again?’

  ‘You will, but a little later, after sunset. Wait here for me if you can. I love you, Sylvie.’

  She smiled and blew him a kiss as she turned away. Leaving the thrall of the ancient yew tree, she hurried home with wings on her heels.

  6

  Yul waited for a while beneath the boughs of the yew. He knew there was some special magic here; not the Earth Magic but something else, something primeval that called to him and fed a hunger in his soul. He belonged in this place and always had done. He leant back against the soft, flaking bark of the great bole and shut his eyes, his mouth still tingling from kissing Sylvie so hard. He took a deep, shaky breath. His body was highly aroused and his hands trembled from the torture of wanting her so badly but knowing he must rein himself in whenever he was close to her.

  Darkness was almost complete as Yul pulled himself away from the massive trunk and ducked under the boughs and onto the Village Green. He looked up at the moonless sky now glittering with bright stars, feeling the magic of the Dark Moon deep inside. As he began to head for home and supper, his heart soared wildly from his encounter with Sylvie and the prospect of seeing her again tomorrow.

  Nothing in the world compared to the feel of Sylvie in his arms; so willowy and pliant, so willing and passionate. Every moment they spent together was something magical, snatched and stolen time from their lives. One day Yul knew he’d wake to see her face next to his, feel the whisper of her breath on his cheek as they lay close together. He quivered with another rush of longing and then miraculously felt her hand slip into his as he walked across the Green. She’d come back! He turned, smiling, but his face froze into a mask of disappointment at the sight of Holly. Immediately he shook her hand out of his with a gesture of dismissal.

  ‘What do you want?’ he muttered angrily.

  ‘That’s not very nice, Yul!’ she replied in a hurt voice. ‘We’ve known each other all our lives and there’s no need to be nasty.’

  He continued to walk briskly, trying to throw her off.

  ‘I need to talk to you,’ she said. ‘Please – just for a few minutes.’

  ‘I’ve got to get home,’ he said. ‘My supper will be waiting.’

  ‘It’s important. Just a couple of minutes.’

  ‘Alright then,’ he sighed, ‘but be quick.’

  She slid her hand around his arm and guided him under the nearest tree, for they’d now crossed the Green and reached the other side. There was a very different atmosphere under the chestnut tree. It had shed most of its leaves, and the bare branches and twigs made an intricate pattern against the starry night sky. Holly stopped and Yul turned to face her, anxious to get this over with. He remembered how jealous Sylvie had been in the orchard during the apple harvest, and didn’t want to do anything that might upset her again.

  ‘What do you want then?’ he asked brusquely, barely able to see Holly in the darkness.

  ‘I want some of what Sylvie’s been getting,’ she replied and threw her body against his. She flung her arms round his neck in a limpet grip, trying to pull his head down to hers. Her lips brushed his as he jerked his head away and tried to shake her off. But she clung on tightly, deliberately pressing herself hard against him and despite himself Yul felt a jolt of desire, aroused as he was from his earlier passion with Sylvie.

  ‘Get off me!’ he snarled, grabbing hold of her arms and flinging her away from him. She stumbled backwards, shocked by his vehemence.

  ‘Don’t be like that!’ she wailed. ‘Why do you hate me? What have I done to you?’

  ‘Nothing! Everything! I don’t know!’

  He was angry with himself for the momentary lapse, for wanting her even if only for a split second.

  ‘Please, Yul, sit down and talk to me,�
� she said, her voice small and unhappy. ‘Stop being so angry with me.’

  She sat on the wooden seat built around the trunk of the tree and patted the spot next to her. Yul shook his head and remained standing.

  ‘Okay, stay there if you like but I’ll have to speak louder and anybody could hear us. It’s about you and Sylvie – I know what’s been going on.’

  He sat down reluctantly.

  ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  ‘Oh yes you do!’ The plaintive tone had been replaced with her customary supercilious drawl. ‘I know what you’ve been up to under the tree with her. She gets about, doesn’t she?’

  ‘What do you mean by that?’ he demanded.

  ‘First Buzz, then Magus, now you. She can’t get enough.’

  Yul stood up abruptly, not trusting himself so close to her. He had an urge to slap her nasty little face.

  ‘I’m not listening to this! You’ve got it all wrong. She’s never been interested in Buzz or Magus.’

  ‘But she’s interested in you?’

  ‘No, I …’

  He stopped, realising he’d made a blunder. She jumped in.

  ‘I saw her going under the tree with you, Yul. I saw everything and we both know it’s not allowed between a Villager and Hallfolk, not like that. I’m going straight to Magus.’

  ‘No!’

  He sat down next to her again and grabbed her wrist, peering at her in the darkness. He could only make out her shoulder-length blond hair but knew her face well enough to imagine her pretty feline features looking smug with malicious satisfaction. She didn’t struggle in his grip but almost melted into him, reaching into his jacket to caress his chest.

  ‘Yul, stop fighting me. What’s she got that I haven’t? You and I could have such fun together.’

  ‘Stop it! Get off me! Look Holly, you really mustn’t go to Magus. I—’

  ‘Who’d suffer the most if I told him – you or her?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ he said, not sure how best to play this. She was clever and manipulative and at the moment, at least one step ahead of him.