Septimus Heap finally reached the infirmary. The snow had started to stick, but that did not bother the weary Wizard. There was only one person he wanted to see right there.
As Septimus walked into the room, Marcellus Pye greeted him first.
"How is she?" Septimus asked.
Marcellus looked sadly at his former apprentice.
"Not good," he said. "Her condition is very critical."
Marcellus looked away for a moment. "I-I don't know how long she has Septimus."
Septimus's expression hardened. He kept his composure, however, and answered the Alchemist.
"Take me to her." He said.
Marcellus nodded and led the way. He walked down a hallway and turned right. Septimus promptly followed, his hands behind his back. His eyes creased with worry and his hands began to shake. For the first time in forever, Septimus once again felt the Darke emotion of fear.
Marcellus finally reached a golden door. He looked at Septimus and then slowly opened the door.
Almost everyone was there crowding about. Sarah and Silas Heap made it. As did Simon and Lucy with their children and the rest of the Heap family. Stanley too was by a window sill. The room was small and everyone turned when Septimus walked in.
Sarah Heap, her eyes red with tears, came and embraced Septimus. Silas came near and comforted her.
It was not until she let go was Septimus finally able to see Jenna.
There the Queen was, lying on a bed. Her skin a deathly pale. Her eyes misty and sad.
Septimus came by her side and held her hand.
"Jenna..." he said.
Jenna looked sadly at Septimus and gave a dry smile. "Hello Sep."
Septimus smiled back as a tear fell from his eyes.
"Be strong Jen. You'll be fine." He told her.
Jenna placed her other hand on Septimus's. On it was a ring with a small blue gem on it. And on Septimus' hand was the ring's twin, perfectly identical to the one Jenna wore. Septimus noticed and remembered days gone by.
Flash!
The Portable Camera Obscura winked at Septimus and Jenna.
"Thank you so much," Jenna told the young boy who snapped that moment in time. She watched the young boy waddle off into the crowd. Septimus moved closer to her.
"Children are beautiful aren't they," Septimus told her looking down at her.
Jenna smiled, looking up and meeting his gaze. "One day we will have some of our own, I promise."
Septimus's eyes twinkled bright as his smile continued to reflect his joy. It was the day of their wedding, Septimus with Jenna, and the Queen to the now former ExtraOrdinary Wizard. The happy couple were both dressed in snow white. Septimus noted how stunning Jenna looked in her dress. It was long and silky, falling all the way down to her feet. The veil that had covered her face not so long ago now was seated on her head, hiding her hair. But it did not hide her beauty, but in fact augmented it.
Septimus for his part finally had his hair combed that day, Jenna noticed. His usual attire was now replaced by a long overcoat and tight trousers. He was shrouded in white albeit for a small gold ring on his finger that now glinted in the firelight. His hands were folded behind his back as he stood respectfully, watching the crowd mingle about happily. The two stood in the Palace Ball Room, where they had just tied the knot. Septimus breathed out a sigh as he realized the news would have spread through the Port by now. Today was indeed a day to rejoice.
Septimus was knocked out of his revere when someone called his name. He looked down to see the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, TodHunter Moon, standing with a small package in her hands.
Jenna smiled. "Hello, Tod. It's always a pleasure to see you. You're even better suited with those new robes!"
Tod blushed. She had just become ExtraOrdinary Wizard not so long ago and was finding it to be both enjoyable but hectic.
"Thank you, your Majesty." She bowed. "You are beautiful as always." She then turned her attention to her former Master. The two embraced as old friends. "I'm very happy for you too Septimus."
Septimus beemed with pride. "I've heard you're doing quite a fine job at the Wizard Tower these days?"
Tod smiled widely. "Some would say so, yes. We've started to redo the whole Library. We're hoping to add thousands of new pieces of literature from the Manuscriptorium."
"Ah, from Beetle if I am not mistaken?" He asked.
Tod nodded. "Yes, he and Ephaniah have been more than helpful in the process."
"Good, good." Septimus said quietly. The Wizard Tower was indeed in good hands.
Tod reached out her hands, moving the package in her hands toward Septimus.
"This is for you, Sep." She said.
"And what is this?" He asked, curiously accepting the package. It was a small brown box tied with a red ribbon. On the card it said: From Tod, for Sep. Cocking his head, Septimus began unraveling the ribbon and opening the box.
"A gift for the occasion?" Jenna asked politely.
Tod nodded her head slightly. "It was the best that I could give."
Septimus lifted the lid of the box. In it lied two rings, both of each holding a small blue gem. Jenna looked and gasped, gingerly picking up one. She had never seen anything more beautiful.
"Tod, this is amazing!" Jenna exclaimed.
Tod blushed even more. "I had found them while doing some research elsewhere. I figured they would suit someone else."
Jenna smiled and looked at Tod. She put on her ring. "I love it. Thank you so much, Tod."
Septimus too put on his own ring, curiously looking at the small blue rock. "Is this Lapis Lazuli?" He asked.
Tod looked at him in response. "Oh, yes, I had a petrologist make sure." Tod stepped closer to Septimus and Jenna. "The rocks are twins of each other. They both carry Magykal potential, now encased in these rings the two of you carry."
Septimus and Jenna looked at each other curiously.
Tod looked up at them. "Basically, you will always be able to find the other, as long as the two of you carry your ring."
Jenna smiled ever wider. "Thank you, Tod. I really am impressed."
Tod shook Jenna's hand. "I'll be heading back to the Wizard Tower, now. There's so much work to be done!"
She then embraced Septimus, truly feeling happy for her former teacher. The two stayed embraced a moment or two longer before letting go. "Congratulations again, Septimus." She said.
Septimus looked back at her. "Thank you, Tod."
Tod gave a small wave before she walked into the crowd and out of the ball room, leaving Septimus and Jenna by themselves. Jenna passed her fingers over her ring, feeling the small piece of lapis lazuli. She then looped her arm with Septimus'. "Let's go for a walk, she said."
The two soon made out of the crowd, unscathed. Accepting many warm greetings and returning numerous congratulatory exclamations, Septimus and Jenna were finally able to be alone, on a balcony of the Palace, overlooking the garden that Sarah Heap took care of everyday. Today they were more beautiful more than ever as the stars and the moon shone bright in the night sky. A small torch of fire lighted the balcony on where Septimus and Jenna now stood. They looked over the balcony as Jenna placed her hand over Septimus'. The couple now watched all the land beyond the Castle's walls.
"Isn't it so beautiful," Jenna asked as she watched the Castle glow in the night.
"There's nothing like it." Septimus said.
Jenna's tightened her hold on Septimus' hand. She laced her fingers through his, grasping his hand. Septimus looked down at her, as she looked at him.
"I'm going to die, Sep," she whispered.
Septimus stared at her, his heart wretched with pain. How he wished he could be in that moment of life with Jenna again; that eternal moment when they pledged to be with each other for the rest of their lives.
Septimus gently placed his other hand over Jenna's arm. "Jen, please." His voice quivered. "I don't want this for you. I don't want this pain." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I don't want you to die, Jen."
Jenna looked sadly at him. "The Castle needs a heir. I-I only trust you, Sep. Please."
Septimus looked at her. Her eyes stared up at him, waiting for a response. He looked at her beautiful face, his friend, his wife. She was so beautiful and yet inside she was dying slowly. Not a single part of her face betrayed this secret. How torturous it must be to long so young and yet feel so old. Septimus sighed as he realized he only had a year with Jenna. He knew they were running out of time and looked down, heaving heavily. And, without speaking, Septimus looked up and leaned in closer to Jenna. His lips pressed against hers and he used his arms to bring in her close to him. Jenna, who did not expect this, nonetheless realized what Septimus had decided. She kissed him back and wrapped her arms around his neck. She enjoyed his taste and engulfed in his smell. Her heart raced and her breathing grew heavier as the two continued making love.
Septimus pushed Jenna inside and onto the bed. Jenna lay on the bed as Septimus crawled on top, feeling and touching her body. His mouth clamped against her's as his hands held her tight. Jenna engulfed Septimus in a tight embrace. She was now trapped between Septimus and the bed. She needed only the key to enter the lock and release her from her prison.
Septimus took off his shirt and then his undergarments, his body shivering uncontrollably. He moved his hands down to Jenna and began to remove her upper dress. Jenna helped him and took off the garment, revealing her bare breasts to him. Jenna breathed heavily as Septimus moved his mouth toward her chest, kissing and tasting her flesh. Septimus slid down, arousing and exciting Jenna even more. He moved his toward the bottom of her dress, caressing his hands on her legs. Jenna moaned as Septimus drew ever closer. It was time.
And just like that, Jenna felt Septimus spread her legs wide, opening a doorway for him. Jenna lay there gasping heavily, sweating profusely. All she saw was the ceiling. All she heard was a quiet thump as Septimus dropped his pants onto the floor.
Suddenly Jenna felt a sharp stab of pain as Septimus slid himself inside her. Jenna moaned as he went deeper inside. Skin against skin, inside and out, Septimus went. His body pressed Jenna's and she held him tight and close, enjoying the pleasure and the pain. She moaned and groaned, begging and pleading for more. Jenna kept her legs open as Septimus dove himself in. She was the lock and he was the key. And now she was set free.
Finally, it was all over. Septimus had stopped, his energy depleted and his body tired. Septimus lay there, on top of Jenna, the two of them now naked, unashamed, like new-born babes; innocent. Septimus' head rested against Jenna's chest, her hair tickling his nose. Jenna held him there, her arm hanging around his neck. Jenna breath was still shallow and heavy. But she knew that everything would be fine now. There may yet be hope for the Castle. She leaned in and planted a kiss on Septimus' head.
"Thank you, Sep." She whispered.
And with that, the two slept.
The people rested well as the Night loomed over the Castle. For that moment, all was well.
All was well.
Septimus looked back up at Jenna, as she lay dying on the sick bed. Her eyes stared blankly back at him and her fingers gently touched his face. She smiled bleakly.
"I knew this day would come," she said.
Septimus frowned. "I never wanted it to." He looked at Jenna. Her violet eyes had remained the same all these years. Piercing and beautiful. And yet those eyes would soon one day close. The violet will never be there, and her eyes will never open again. Septimus' expression dropped. His chest hurt as he watched the love of his life slowly die. Septimus realized that Jenna truly was indeed running out of time. It was not something she could escape or run from. Septimus sighed. Things truly had changed all these years.
"Jenna," he said. He finally decided what he would do. "I'll be back. Stay with me, please."
Jenna looked up as Septimus stood. Tears brimmed Jenna's eyelids.
"Don't leave me Sep," she pleaded.
Septimus looked at Jenna. "I'm not. I want to bring someone to you."
Jenna held onto his hand, but Septimus kissed it. He let go. "I'll be back, I promise." He said.
Septimus turned around and quickly left the room, his robes flapping after him.
"Where is he going?" Sarah Heap asked, deeply puzzled.
"I don't know," Silas responded. "But he'll be back. I know it."
"How do you know?" Sarah asked.
And looking away from her, Silas looked down at Jenna, his only daughter. His eyes twinkled with confidence. "Because he must return. He must."
Right then and there, everyone knew Silas, for once, was right. Septimus would return.
And Jenna would be waiting for him.