Up In A Heaval (32 page)

“This contest is done,” Chlorine said.

Then the Nameless Castle vanished. They were standing where they had been, in Castle Maidragon, before the magic mirror. Except that Surprise was there with them, and so was Brusque, apparently because Umlaut had been touching them when the contest ended. Soufflé Serpent was also there; he had been twining tails with Sesaame so got carried along too. It was fairly crowded in the chamber.

“I'm all right now, I think,” Surprise said. “Losing my soul, then getting it back—it was a shock.”

“I think I know the feeling,” Umlaut said. “I have half your soul now.”

“Keep it. I would have shared it with you anyway, had I known you needed it.” She looked around. “Where are we?”

“Castle Maidragon. This is where Becka stays. We were here delivering the last letter when the Demon contest ended.”

“And so I got to visit you again, this time personally,” she said. “I'm so glad. I love you.”

As if that had not been abundantly obvious. “And I love you,” he said. “Now I don't think I do, I know I do.”

She laughed faintly. “You forgot to say 'uh.' ”

“I fouled up again,” he agreed. “But I guess you're used to that.”

“And I love it.” She stepped into him and kissed him.

After the little hearts ceased swirling around his head, he made an effort to get practical. “I guess we can take you home now. Your folks will wonder where you went.” He glanced at the others. “And I guess drop you off at your sites.” He glanced at the mirror. “I'm glad you're free now.”

Rorrim says you gave him his freedom without obligation, but he will serve you anyway, Claire indicated. It seems a bit of the soul fractured off and struck him.

“He's welcome to stay here,” Becka said. “I can turn dragon and fly to deliver his news if an awkward future threatens.”

“I should get back to the jungle,” Brusque said.

“Must you go so soon?” Becka asked. “You and I seem to be loose ends. I mean, I won't be with Umlaut and you won't be with Surprise. I don't get a lot of company here.”

Brusque looked at her. “You don't mind that I'm part ogre and part brassy?”

“Do you mind that I'm half dragon?”

“Are you as pretty as a dragon as you are as a girl?”

Becka blushed. “She is,” Umlaut said.

Brusque nodded. “I'd like to stay awhile, in that case. We have had a certain remarkable common experience.”

“We have indeed.”

They did seem to be a nicely matched pair, of similar age and isolation. Maybe it had not been total coincidence that Brusque had been transported here.

Becka addressed the others. “The rest of you can stay the night, at least. I'd love to show off the castle. Everything except the forbidden chamber.”

Umlaut looked around, receiving nods. “Surprise and I will need, uh, separate rooms.”

“Oh, he remembered,” Surprise said, pouting.

“Of course,” Becka agreed. “So will Brusque and I.” She glanced at the cats and serpents. They were all thoroughly adult. Then everyone broke out laughing. There was even a cartoon smile on the mirror.