“Don’t be ridiculous,” I jabbed him in the arm. “We’re not breaking up the team. Oxford is only an hour away on the train. We’ll come home for weekends and holidays, and you guys can come visit during term. It’ll be hard, but wedidjust defeat an army of resurrected shades and broker peace with the fae, so I think we can handle a long-distance relationship for a few years. Plus, I imagine you’ll find something here to occupy you.”
Blake’s eyes widened. “You want… you want me to stay at Briarwood?”
“Of course. I mean, if that’s what you want to do—oof!”
This time it was Blake bowling me over, his lips finding mine, locking me in a deep, sensual kiss. Behind us, Arthur whistled. Obelix let out a satisfied “meow!”
When we came up for air, Flynn punched Blake in the arm. “You didn’t think you’d escape us that easily? I need all hands on deck for rebuilding my workshop. I’m going to need the space to produce enough work to keep the gallery full.”
“Gallery?”
“Yeah.” Flynn's ears flared red. “I’ve been thinking about using the old servant’s quarters to open a gallery shop for the tourists. They’ll be able to buy my paintings and sculptures and maybe some of Rowan’s preserves. That is, if it’s okay with you, Maeve? It is your castle, after all.”
“Briarwood is not my castle. It’s ours. I want everyone to do something that makes them happy.” I pulled out a pamphlet from my bag and handed it to Blake. “Speaking of which, I thought you might like to have a look at this.”
Blake held up the glossy booklet. “Police Academy?”
I nodded. “Since you read all those Sherlock Holmes stories, I thought maybe you’d like to be a real detective. I bet if you spoke to DS Judge, she’d give you a recommendation, along with some training tips.”
Blake tucked the pamphlet into the pocket of his coat. “I’ll give it some thought,” he said non-committedly.
Someone slid down beside me. Kelly held up a glass of mead and I toasted her. “This stuff is delicious,” she beamed at Arthur as she drained her glass. “You should go into business.”
“Thanks,” Arthur beamed, lifting his goblet to her. “There’s plenty more if you want it.”
“That’s not a bad idea, Arnold,” Flynn said, his eyes dancing as he considered the possibilities. “We could sell your mead in our shop – for the real castle experience. I could draw you a fancy label. It’ll be complicated applying for the license, but I reckon?—”
Arthur shook his head. “I don’t think people will want to buy my mead.”
“I agree. It’s disgusting.” Kelly grabbed his full goblet from his hands, and handed him hers, which was now empty.
“Sure they will,” Flynn put in. “We could have a whole range of flavours. Maybe some cider in the summer. Oh, and I bet we could even buy a still and do some honey whiskey.”
I snorted. “With you around, whiskey would never make it to the shop!”
“What shop?” Kelly asked.
“We were just talking about the future of Briarwood. Flynn’s going to open a gallery shop for his artwork, and Rowan’s going to sell some of his preserves and other things.”
“Let me guess, you’re going to brainiac space school back in America?” Kelly said, her words slurring a little as she sipped her mead.
“I thought I’d apply somewhere closer to home.” Kelly’s face lit up as I told her about Corbin and I studying at Oxford, and the others staying on at Briarwood to manage the place. “You’re welcome to stay here, too – you and Jane and Connor. There’s room for everyone.”
“Thanks for the offer, Einstein, but I’ve decided to go travelling.”
“You have?” I tried to keep the incredulity out of my voice.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Kelly exclaimed, as she took my full goblet of mead from my hand and exchanged it with Arthur’s goblet, which was also now empty. “I came over to England to be a backpacker, and I did buy that new backpack, so I should get some proper use out of it. Jane has some money saved up, and she’s always wanted to see Europe, so we’re going to do it. We’re leaving for Paris next month.”
“What about Connor?” Surely, Kelly hadn’t forgotten Jane’s adorable young son?
“He’s coming with us, of course.” Kelly grinned. “It’s going to be a bit ridiculous backpacking with such a tiny baby, but Jane’sread some websites and she reckons we can do it. She’s already found us an old postal van, and we were gonna ask Flynn to help us fit a mattress and some shelves and a fridge into the back.”
“Happy to help,” Flynn beamed. “I’ll even make Conner the cutest wee foldaway crib.”
“That sounds awesome,” Arthur grinned.
“It does, doesn’t it?” Kelly beamed. She grabbed Arthur’s arm. “Hey, Aragorn, do you fancy escorting two awesome ladies and a cute wee baby around Europe? We could do with a handsome pack mule.”
