The conjoined magic spun upwards, zipping vertically as if it wanted to reach the stars. Above our heads there was a shaft of light, as if the sun were piercing through dark storm clouds. The light grew and grew, bathing everything in gold. At first I heard screaming and then there was nothing but awe.

I was the first to stand up. I walked over to the castle wall and gazed out. The view was magnificent; instead of the dark, dim shadows, green land stretched in front of me. Whichever way I turned, all I could see was bright light and beauty. The Veil had gone. We were one.

Bob flitted up to my shoulder. I dragged my eyes away from the magnificent vista and spoke, my words heavy with dread. ‘Go on then,’ I said. ‘What are the consequences? What’s going to happen as a result of my wish?’

He pulled backwards, hovering away from me so I could see him properly. He took out a massive handkerchief and blew his nose. ‘Bob,’ I said, even more alarmed. ‘Tell me. Is this going to hurt the Fomori?’

He wiped his eyes and threw the handkerchief to one side. Unfortunately it smacked Asbar on the nose. He hissed in disgust but he seemed to understand what I was asking of the genie. He watched us while the others gaped at the newly transformed Lowlands.

‘There are no consequences.’ Bob said, with a tremulous smile. ‘Not for this.’

My brow furrowed. ‘I don’t understand.’

He nodded gravely. ‘I know. No one ever does.’ He leaned towards me. ‘Why didn’t you wish for the Fomori to be sent away? A bit of sunlight isn’t going to stop all your problems. There still might be war.’

‘Asbar said it himself,’ I told him. ‘This is their home now. For better or for worse. There’s a Sidhe army out there preparing to meet them and…’ I choked slightly. ‘Things might yet become very bad. But this was the right thing to do.’

‘There’s your answer,’ Bob said simply. ‘Your wish was selfless. It won’t solve your problems and they might still turn around and kill you. So might Aifric. But you used your wish to benefit them anyway. Most people suffer the consequences of their wishes because most people wish selfishly.’

Byron put his arm round my waist. ‘You’re saying the key is altruism? Why the hell didn’t you tell us this before? It would have saved a lot of heartache.’

Bob rolled his eyes but Fergus understood. ‘Because if you knew that to succeed you had to be selfless, it would be almost impossible to be selfless. It wouldn’t work. Your mind would trick you.’

Bob nodded. ‘He’s right.’ He raised his voice. ‘But I’m still the magnificent being around here. Not him.’ Fergus just looked confused.

The English-speaking demon, who was listening in, murmured to Asbar. The Fomori leader stared at me. ‘This is true?’

I pointed at the sun. ‘You’re not burning up yet.’