This Rough Magic

Aidoneus nodded. 'But the third reason would have been true. The weave of fates was altered by her coming here.'

'So does one third of a compact make it valid?'

Maria pursed her lips. Then, rubbed her square chin. 'I don't cheat, Benito. It makes it one third valid. Because I was willing for that reason.'

Benito sighed. 'Agreed. But that still makes you mine for one third, 'Lessi's for another. Doesn't that outweigh the other?'

Maria sat silent for a while. She looked from Benito to Aidoneus, biting her lip. 'Benito. You've just come all the way to the Kingdom of the Dead for me. No one else could do something like that. But fair is fair. One third of my life is Aidoneus'. He—and Corfu—need me.'

The Lord of the Dead looked at her with eyes of longing, and sadness. 'I'll accept that,' he said quietly. 'I did cheat. But I also gave fair return.'

Maria nodded. 'You did. But can you accept it, Benito?'

He started to reply immediately. Always the quick-witted one, Benito was. But then—perhaps for the first time in his life—stopped to think first. Really think.

* * *

He thought for quite some time.

In the end, it was the quietly sad, longing face of Aidoneus that gave Benito his decision—and, perhaps most important, allowed him to accept it calmly. For all that the two didn't look at all similar, there was something about Aidoneus that reminded Benito of Umberto Verrier. Lonely men in middle age—insofar as that term could be applied to someone like Aidoneus—who always did their duty. Including, when the need arose, sheltering and caring for a woman that a younger and more flamboyant man had not been able to do. Or willing to do.

Benito still felt that he was responsible for Umberto's death. That aching guilt had never left him. Until now, when he made his decision. The first truly adult decision he thought he'd ever made in his life.

'Yes, I can accept it.' Benito shrugged. 'I'd be a damned liar to say I liked it, Maria. But I thought I'd lost you forever and completely. Two thirds is a sight better than none at all. I see Aidoneus' point. I'd take one third if that was what I could get. How about eight months with me . . . and four down here?'

Aidoneus actually looked nonplussed. 'I thought you'd refuse. Very well. I accept also. Maria will spend the four months of winter with me, the rest of the year with you.'

Maria looked at him with a curious expression. 'You've grown, Benito. I'm still not sure if I want a man—even for eight months of the year—who doesn't know if he's a wolf or a fox.'

'I'm neither, Maria. I'm me. And I'm yours if you want me. I'll have you under any terms. Take me or leave me.'

Maria bit her lip again. Then, nodded. 'I think I prefer Benito to wolves or foxes.'

Aidoneus sighed. 'Very well. A bargain is a bargain. But this is my kingdom. There is a last clause to our agreement. Go back to your friends now. Maria can follow you out. But if you look back before you reach the far shore you have lost her forever.' Aidoneus' voice was full of grim certainty.

Benito looked at Maria. 'It's a deal. But how do I know if Maria is following us out?'

'You can turn and have a look,' said Aidoneus with a raised eyebrow. 'Or believe. She cannot make any sounds out there, away from the tree.'

'You're cheating again, of course.'

Aidoneus smiled wryly. 'Yes.'

Benito shrugged. 'My companions can't turn either, I suppose?'

'It doesn't mean as much to them as it does to you. It is possible for them. But no, they can't turn either.'

Benito took a deep breath. 'You're on.'

* * *

'What happened?' demanded Manfred.

'She doesn't belong here, and he cheated to get her—on two of three counts. But he did keep his side of the bargain on that third count. So Maria will spend four months of the year here. She can come out now, following us —but only if I don't look back to see if she is following. Not until I get out on the further shore. And you two can't turn around either.'

'That's impossible,' said Manfred.

Benito shrugged. 'It's the terms I've got. It's better than no terms at all. But I have one request, Manfred.'

'What?'

'Walk in front of me.'

'If I walk behind you I can try and stop you turning.'

Benito shook his head. 'Manfred, you said you owed me for bringing Erik back. That I could ask for anything. Well, this is what I ask.'

* * *

They marched. And marched. Even the final black beach sands seemed endless. The ferryman held out his hand. 'Pay me.'