the night of Beltane Eve spent in the green woods with her very own Green Man, when they’d stumbled on a faun lying camouflaged amongst the undergrowth. Magus had talked to it softly and it had stayed there, mesmerised by his deep voice, and she’d stroked its woolly hide and looked into its velvet eyes. So the baby was named Faun, but even that had been spoiled by the early birth a week later of Miranda’s baby, Rufus. Once again Rowan was hideously jealous, especially as Miranda had a son who also had Magus’ dark eyes. But Rowan had been remarkably adept at hiding her bitter jealousy of Sylvie, Miranda and Rufus, and her hatred of Yul. She was a proud girl and kept her feelings to herself, which was just as well. To this day she’d never shown anyone truly how she felt. But her feelings of adoration for Magus were as strong today as they’d been that Beltane almost fourteen years ago; nobody else could ever compare to him.
Faun opened her eyes and gazed sleepily at her mother, her cheeks flushed from the heat of the fire. Rowan was struck again by her daughter’s beauty and ached with love for her.
‘Hello, sleepy-head. Did you have a good day at school?’
‘No!’ said Faun petulantly, frowning at her mother. ‘It was horrible.’
‘Why? I thought you loved Hall School.’
‘It’s Leveret – she makes me sick!’
‘Ah yes, the Maiden.’
‘Why was she chosen, Mother? I thought I was to be Bright Maiden this year? You said—’
‘No, my darling girl, I never said you’d be Maiden. I said ‘twas possible but you’re still too young really. It’s usually an older girl, fourteen or fifteen, so maybe next year.’
‘But it’s not fair! I’m much, much prettier than her – everyone says so. She’s ugly and skinny with that horrible wild black hair and that nasty pointed little face. Her teeth are like a rat’s and her eyes like a cat’s. She’ll be an awful Maiden.’
‘I know. I can’t understand why they chose her either.’
Rowan had a very good idea why but she kept it to herself. She was fed up with Yul and Sylvie’s family being chosen for all the honours whilst her lovely girl – Magus’ daughter – was overlooked. Everyone seemed to forget that Faun was a Hallchild but that seemed to count for nothing any more, not like in the old days when she’d have had special privileges.
Rowan’s mother called in for the table to be laid ready for supper and Rowan automatically stood up to do the task. Faun was never expected to do any of the work and the three adults were happy to run around after her and spoil her. Faun watched her mother spreading out the tablecloth and fetching a jug of water and glasses.
‘Can’t you say something to Yul about it, Mother?’
‘No, darling, it wouldn’t do any good.’
‘But it’s not fair! I’d be the best Bright Maiden and I was so hoping they’d choose me. Wouldn’t I be the best?’
‘Of course you would. Nobody’s as beautiful as you, Faun – nobody. Don’t be upset, please. I can’t bear for you to be upset. Just think of how lovely you’ll look in your Imbolc dress, joining in the Dance of the Maidens. And you can choose a fine young partner to dance with and be your escort now you’re at Hall School.’
‘Yes, but I want Kestrel and he’s the Archer of Imbolc again. So Leveret will have him as well as being the Maiden, and even if I am Maiden next year then I won’t have him because he’ll be too old to be the Archer. I can’t stand it!’
‘Think of your new dress, darling. Granny’s spent hours making it beautiful for you. Have you seen all the special embroidery she’s done? You’ll look so lovely and I’ll curl your hair if you like.’
‘Will you? Really curly so it falls in ringlets?’
‘If that’s what you want, my darling. We’ll be up half the night putting in the rags but it’ll be worth it.’
‘Do you think Kestrel will notice me even though he’s partnering Leveret?’
‘Of course he will! All the boys’ll notice you but especially Kestrel. You’ll be the most beautiful girl there and everyone’ll say what a terrible mistake they made choosing Leveret.’
Faun giggled at this and sat down at the table so her grandmother could serve her a generous helping of beef stew, making sure she had all the tastiest pieces of meat and the softest end