Finn and Margaid shared a smile.
“You know we’re engaged,” Margaid said. “We want to get married this weekend. Here at the dead-and-breakfast, while Pearl is home from school.”
“I know it’s your grand opening and you have guests, but we just need to borrow your backyard, and maybe have you cater some light snacks or something. We know that Sven is ordained to preform ceremonies. It’ll be small,” Finn said.
Magnus ran his hand over his head. “I’m sure Sven would be fine, but he runs that side of this business. Food, I can handle.”
“I know it’s last minute, but I don’t really have family, and everyone we love is here,” Margaid explained.
“I’ll go talk to Sven, but I’m sure we can make it work. He’ll call you later, if that’s okay?”
“Perfectly fine,” Finn replied, because the moment their gazes met, Magnus knew that Finn understood what was happening. He would know what was going on with Sven and the situation about the curse. “Come on, Margaid. Let’s go. Mom has a lot planned for us.”
“Right.” Margaid stood on her tiptoes and gave Magnus a quick peck on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you. Both.”
“Thanks, Margaid,” Magnus said softly. “Actually, if you guys drove here, can you take me to the cemetery? I need to check on Sven.”
“Sure,” Finn responded.
Magnus followed them out and climbed into Margaid’s truck. She dropped him on Verdant Street, and he walked the rest of the way to the cemetery. There weren’t many townsfolk lingering about the cemetery in the morning, and at least by hitching a ride with Finn and Margaid, he could avoid stares and all the questions. People who knew him well would be curious about the obvious fact that the curse was broken.
He quietly made his way down the path to the cemetery and saw Sven at Flo’s grave, which they both knew was empty because her body was never found. He knew that Sven wouldn’t like him to intrude, so Magnus just took a seat on a bench overlooking the area.
From here he could keep watch and be available when Sven was ready to talk. Right now, all he felt was guilt and sadness because he knew how Sven was feeling. Over a century ago, it was supposed to be Sven who regained mortality, with Magnus left behind.
Magnus had made his peace with it because he’d been the one to get Sven into this cursed situation. How did it end up with him as the one freed first? He wasn’t sure, but he’d be here for his brother.
For as long as he could be.
There wasno time for Mercedes to sit there and swoon over what had happened between her and Magnus last night, or what happened this morning when she saw that he was mortal now.
It was clear he loved her, although he hadn’t said it, and she did love him, but she hadn’t told him either. Nor had she told him about her destiny to be the vessel for Yrsa, which had failed because her spirit rebelled. She wasn’t sure how he was going to feel about that. Right now, she had to get back to Room with a Tomb and get to work, but she didn’t overly rush to get back to the dead-and-breakfast, because she was sure Sven and Magnus had to talk.
It was hard to miss that Magnus had become mortal.
The hair, for one thing. Sure, Sven and Magnus had different hairstyles, but the fact that Magnus’ hair color had returned to normal really stood out.
The moment she returned to Room with a Tomb, Flo was floating around the front door, clearly agitated.
“Flo?” Mercedes said, surprised to see her outside.
Flo turned, wringing her hands. “They’re not here.”
“Oh?”
“Sven got upset and went to the cemetery. Magnus followed.” Flo sighed sadly. “Something about this date always makes Sven sad, and now that Magnus is mortal…he’s even more sad.”
Mercedes took a seat on the front stoop and Flo sat down next to her, her chin resting on her fist, staring off at the lawn.
“You don’t remember anything?” Mercedes asked.
“No. I’ve been trying to remember, but I don’t. I mean, there are some weird flashes in my memory. I remember electricity, but no, not really.”
Mercedes took a deep breath and reached out to take Flo’s hand, because she’d always been able to touch the ethereal plane as well as communicate with it. Flo seemed shocked by the touch, but didn’t pull away.
“It’s weird, I know, my first boyfriend was a ghost.” Mercedes took another deep breath. “You told me you’re a revenant.”
“Yes, that much I know. Or at least, I think.”
