Page 69 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

Noah reached out and gently laid his hands on the globe as well. “Let me help.”

Orrick was about to reprimand him when, all of a sudden, the fog cleared and he could see everything.

“I see it,” said Orrick excitedly. “It is the Akashic Records and I can see the name of the next Keeper of the Flame.”

“What does it say?” asked Hope. “Who is it?”

Orrick’s hands stilled and his head turned slowly. His eyes met the smiling eyes of the little boy. “It says . . . Noah,” he answered, getting the biggest smile from the boy that he’d ever seen in his life.

Chapter 20

A sennight later, Blake Castle was bustling with activity at the wedding of Orrick and Hope. They had been married that morning and had just finished a feast of roasted lamb with pear sauce, venison in rich brown gravy, and a variety of cheeses, fish and sweetmeats. Lord Corbett had even had his cooks prepare a peacock with all the feathers reattached. It was a feast like no other. After consuming glazed peaches, seed cake, and berry tarts, Hope couldn’t eat another bite.

Hope’s father had been called away overseas to campaign for the king along with Hope’s brothers, so they weren’t able to attend the wedding. However, her father was pleased by the fact his daughter had married Orrick. It seemed he never really liked Lord Irwin, but wanted Hope to be married to a nobleman. No one had actually told her father yet that Orrick was anything but a knight, but they decided it didn’t matter. He’d find out in time, but Hope had a feeling it wasn’t going to be soon.

Orrick stayed in the form of his younger self now, and that is the way Hope liked it.

“Well, Wife, how does it feel to be married?” asked Orrick, pulling Hope into his arms and kissing her passionately in front of everyone. Since no one from Hope’s side of the family was there to help celebrate besides her sister, Grace, and Orrick had no family, Lord Corbett took it upon himself to invite some of the members of his immediate family.

“I think I’m going to like being married,” said Hope, feeling happier than she ever had before. “You do realize that Noah is probably the happiest of all since we decided to live here at Blake Castle.”

“I think we’re doing the right thing,” said Orrick. “The boy needs me to train him and prepare him for being the next Keeper of the Flame as soon as he turns ten.”

“Aye, but that’s four years away yet,” said Hope, feeling as if she couldn’t wait that long.

“It’s four years too long that I’m going to have to be Keeper,” Orrick reminded her. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to risk giving the boy the flame before he’s ten.”

“Well, what if someone else could hold the flame? Just for a few years.”

“If a mortal with no magic were to become the Keeper of the Flame, it would make them mad,” said Orrick.

“I see,” said Hope. “I was just in a hurry to start a family with you, Orrick. I’m sorry I was being selfish again. Four years is fine. I don’t mind waiting.”

“I’m sorry, Hope. I just wouldn’t want anyone to go mad being the Keeper if they were mortal.”

“True,” she said. “Although they’d be immortal.”

“Did I hear ye two talkin’ about being immortal?” A really old Scotsman walked up with Lord Corbett.

“Lady Hope, I’d like you to meet Old Callum MacKeefe,” said Lord Corbett. “Callum is the grandfather of my sister Wren’s husband, Storm. He’s also the owner of the Horn and Hoof Tavern in Glasgow and one of the oldest people on the planet.”

“So nice to meet you,” said Hope as the old Scot picked up a tankard and handed it to her.

“Here, taste my Mountain Magic, lassie,” said the old man with a chuckle. He had a long, wiry beard and a small, crooked body, but life shone in his eyes stronger than anyone.

“All right,” she said, having no idea what was in the tankard, but brought the cup to her mouth.

“Nay!” both Corbett and Orrick said together. Orrick pulled the tankard out of her hand.

“What’s the matter?” she asked innocently.

“Callum brews a Scottish whisky that is so strong it’ll knock out a Scotsman for days if he drinks too much,” said Corbett.

“Och, ye Sassenachs are all a bunch of milksops,” spat Callum, waving his hand through the air in a disgusted manner.

“I just didn’t want my wife to be killed off on our wedding night from your potent brew,” said Orrick with a chuckle.

“That potent brew is the recipe for immortality,” said Callum. “After all, I’ve been drinkin’ it all my life and look at me.” He held out his hands and smiled.