Magus of Stonewylde Book One Read Online Free Page A

perfectly.
    He was annoyed to see Holly showing off in front of a young man from the Hall, but amused by his inability to balance on the ladder propped against a stone. Fennel was working on the image of Eostre painted on the largest monolith right behind the Altar Stone, adding silver stars to the halo of flowers around the figure’s head. Merewen watched closely from the ground, directing him in her gruff manner. Several times Fennel wobbled precariously and Yul wondered what mischief he could get awaywith. But he knew he couldn’t afford to invite any more attention from Magus.
    From his vantage point at the pinnacle of the bonfire he looked over the stones and across the woodlands that clustered around the clearing on the flat hilltop. He saw the blue smoothness of the sea to the south and the soft folds of the hills to the north. He gulped in the fresh air as the salty wind stirred his hair and caressed his face. Merewen glanced across the Circle and her artist’s eye was drawn to the striking picture he made, perched so high and looking as if he grew from the bonfire itself.
    Holly followed the woman’s gaze and wandered away from the artists, bored now with helping. She stood staring up at Yul, impressed by his agility and the way his black curls moved in the wind. He grinned down at her, white teeth flashing in his dark face, and she smiled back. He slithered down the pyramid of great branches but, when only halfway down, he turned outwards to face her. Then he leapt. As he flew through the air he caught a glimpse of her face, open-mouthed at his dare-devil antics. He yelled out in delight, landing gracefully in a crouched position on the earth at her feet. He shook the hair from his eyes and laughed up at her.
    ‘You’re mad, Yul,’ she giggled, her pretty little face dimpling.
    ‘As a March hare,’ he agreed.
    ‘You could’ve broken your neck.’
    ‘But I didn’t, and just as well. Or we wouldn’t be able to dance together at the celebrations.’
    ‘Oh I see, you’ve got it all planned, have you?’ She tossed her blond hair so the well-cut bob fell into perfect place. ‘And I thought I’d be dancing with Fennel. Or even Buzz.’
    Yul snorted at this.
    ‘Why on earth would you do that when you could have me?’
    He’d stood up and was pleased to see he’d now grown much taller than her. She was still quite small but curvier, her slim boyishness transformed into something more enticing. Yulpuffed out his chest with satisfaction and surveyed the Stone Circle, his gaze sweeping all the people hard at work, busy making the sacred space ready for the Equinox.
    Then he noticed Magus. The tall man leant against a stone on the opposite side, watching him. Magus raised a hand and beckoned slowly.
    ‘See you, Holly,’ he muttered.
    ‘Maybe,’ she said lightly. As he walked away she noted how his shoulders had become broader and his legs longer. She smiled to herself; Yul was shaping up nicely.
    Yul lowered his eyes carefully as he approached. He wasn’t so much worried about upsetting Magus as scared of what his father would do, should he get into any more trouble. The slash that Magus had given him across his cheek was now a pink weal, but other than that he was at present uninjured and wanted to say that way, with the festival so close. He stopped at a respectful distance and stood with his head bowed.
    ‘I see your manners have improved since our last encounter,’ said Magus softly, still leaning against the towering standing stone.
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘And Tom tells me you worked hard in my stables every night.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘So let’s hope you’ve learned your lesson.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘Mmn.’
    Magus surveyed the lowered head before him, not in the least taken in by this apparent show of deference. He could also see the set of the boy’s shoulders and the flare of his nostrils.
    ‘So what was the meaning of the acrobatics just now? This is a sacred place.’
    ‘I’m sorry,