Chapter 8
I had to think and quickly as Septimus ascended like he was drowning, Jesus would save him...Nonna would as well. I'm not sure if it was Jesus or Nonna who convinced me but I bounced off the wall and slid across the slippery marble floor to the fountain taking the doll from the water and watching Septimus drop sucking for air. I met the eyes of the witch who dropped it before she stared back over at Septimus on the ground, two broken limps and exhausted. She nodded to her fat sister who ran up the stairs and jumped over the railing as Tristan exited from behind the cages. I looked over at Septimus but he was unconscious...maybe he fainted or something. Anyway as the animal from the cages mauled the witch and Tristan approached for the final bitch - I mean witch - the air seemed to cool and time itself stopped for the final battle.
Tristan waited until the witch made it to the bottom of the stairs."So, what will it be? Toad or tadpole? " She wondered. My eyes clasped shut as green flame evoked from her hands. It ended too suddenly then started again. I opened them to...a safe and unburned Tristan...what did I miss? Tristan pulled a white flower from his coat and the witch nodded respectfully. She lifted a vase but Tristan side-stepped out of its way watching the witch, he should have been watching the vase since it came back and hit him. He lifted himself onto his elbow realising that he had...something across his back, that container for scrolls? Either way I began to creep back across the floor to the animal cages as...lightning was released from the container. This was beginning to be too much for me. I moved behind Tristan to Septimus who was unconscious but still breathing and all. The witch moved up the staircase and Tristan followed her but up the other side. I didn't watch any longer and instead just began to drag Septimus out of the mansion. Someone remind me why I was helping the same person who - because he saved my life. I rolled my eyes before a woman with brunette curls in a blue gown walked across the room and helped. "Go. Go!" The witch yelled. With our combined strength, both the woman and I finally made it out with Tristan and Yvaine behind. Over...it's finally over. The doors closed with a slam before Tristan and Yvaine could make it out. The woman in the blue dress slammed her fists against the doors.
I watched through the window, the witch approaching the star-crossed lovers with glass shattered around them. Yvaine wrapped her arm around Tristan before she began to glow...brighter and brighter... I ducked before it got too bright hearing the final scream from the witch before the brightness behind my eyelids died allowing me to open them without going blind. I walked in after the woman in the blue dress getting a hug from Yvaine as Tristan paced over holding a crystal that suddenly changed to red in his palm. "What?" I gasped.
"The surviving heir of the Stormhold bloodline." The woman said.
"Angela." I greeted her finally.
"I'm Tristan mother, Una." I smiled giving her a quick hug.
"I'm glad after all this we finally met." I add before she leads us out of the mansion for the final time.
"What about Prince Septimus?" Tristan asked.
"He could cook." I blurt looking at them staring back at me confused. "Long story. Now, let's get the king to his castle. Shall we?" I insist tying Prince Septimus to the back of the horse and chasing after the others in the carriage. I may have grown quite fond of this prince suddenly, maybe I was mistaking the fondness for loathing...hopefully is probably the better word in this case.
