“Thank you, Grandmother,” I said dryly. “You do realise I’ll have people watching you like a hawk all the time, just in case?”
“Of course,” she said. “I’d expect nothing less.” She paused, looking out over the great throng of dancing couples filling the ballroom floor. “I do miss Cyril. He was always such a good dancer, as a boy.”
“Him?” I said. “The Sarjeant-at-Arms? The man was a thug and a bully!”
“That was just his job,” said the Matriarch. “Cyril was always so much more than that. He was such a promising student… Tell me he died well, Edwin.”
“Yes,” I said. “He died well. He stood his ground against overwhelming odds, so that the rest of us could get away. He was a credit to the family.”
“Of course,” said the Matriarch. “I’d expect nothing less. We’ll have to appoint a new Sarjeant-at-Arms as soon as possible. He represents discipline, and dedication to the family.” She looked at me sternly. “But what in the good God’s name were you thinking of, Edwin, in bringing a half-elf into the Hall? Now the Fae Court have their very own golden torc! You have to get it back, Edwin!”
“It’s right at the top of my list of things to do,” I said.
“Good,” said the Matriarch. She allowed herself a small smile. “You have done well, grandson. You’ve achieved what you set out to do, reestablishing the Droods as a power in the world, by stamping out the Loathly Ones once and for all, and saved the whole world at the same time. You have redeemed the family’s honour, and proved our worth in the eyes of those who matter. Keep it up.”
And off she went, to circulate among the family, and make sure no one was having too much fun.
Harry and Roger came by, talking quietly but animatedly together. Molly and I trailed along behind, shamelessly eavesdropping.
“What do you mean, you were sent to seduce me?” said Harry.
“Just what I said,” Roger said patiently. “I was set in place in that Parisian nightclub specially to bump into you and ensnare you with my charms. The idea was that if we became a couple, I’d get you to bring me here to meet the family, and then Hell would have its own agent and informer, right at the heart of the Droods. The sheer amount of information I could have passed on, down the years… Hell always takes the long view.”
“But… you risked your life to save mine, warding off the Soul Gun!” said Harry.
“Yes…” said Roger. “Well, it would appear even hellspawn can have their off days… Relax, sweetie. I’m only telling you this now to prove how much I trust you. Things have changed between us. A fake relationship has become the real thing, much to my surprise. Who knew a half-demon could be capable of love?”
“Yes,” said Harry. “Who knew?”
They walked on, arm in arm, and Molly and I let them go.
“I think I’m insulted,” said Molly. “He and I were a couple for months, and he never fell in love with me.”
“He was never worthy of you,” I said.
“Well, of course,” said Molly. “That goes without saying.”
We looked out over the assembled family, filling the huge ballroom from wall to wall, full of good cheer and celebration.
“At least it’s all over now,” said Molly.
“You know better than that,” I said. “It’s never over. That’s why the Droods are so necessary. Men are mortal, but demons are forever.”
“Let’s get out of here,” said Molly. “Go back to bed.”
“Feeling tired?” I said. “No,” said Molly, grinning.
“All right,” I said. “I think they can manage here without us. Let’s go. I’ve got something to show you.”
“Well, I should hope so,” said Molly.
Back in my room at the top of the Hall, I had my surprise already installed: the Merlin Glass, standing upright and fixed firmly in place, at the back of the room. I said the Words, and our reflections disappeared, replaced by a gateway into the wild wood that was Molly’s home. She gasped and clapped her hands delightedly, and hugged me hard.
“A permanent doorway,” I said. “A direct link between my room and your beloved wood, so you can come and go as you please, and never be more than a door away from me. The best of both worlds. If this is what you want…”
“Oh, I want,” said Molly, pushing me onto the bed. “I want.”