Page 27 of Awakening

Marc narrowed his eyes, rage flaring. “What do you mean, he is not dead? You sliced his neck. I pierced his heart myself.”

“It takes a particular weapon of legend to kill the creature.”

“What weapon?”

“The Sword of Kings.” Emrys’ gaze shifted between Noah and Marc before resting on Trystan. “Excalibur.”

“I thought Excalibur was a myth,” Noah said.

“As was Grønn Riddari.”

“You mean to tell us Excalibur is real?” Marc asked.

“Yes.”

“Emrys…” Trystan’s groggy voice pulled the three men from their conversation.

Marc turned to look down at Trystan, smiling for the first time all day as Trystan opened his eyes.

“What… where…” Trystan pushed himself up to sit, scrubbing a hand over his face.

“Easy, Trystan,” Marc said, grasping his hand.

“My head is killing me.” He squinted, rubbing his temple. “What happened?”

“We were hoping you might tell us,” Emrys said.

Trystan thought for a moment. “The last thing I remember was a strange man attacking me and he had a flower in his hand.” He glanced at each of them one at a time with questioning eyes, wondering if what he remembered was real.

“Yes, Trystan,” Emrys said. “It was real. The flower’s pollen emits a sleeping poison.”

Trystan stared up at him. “Does this connect with the prophecy?”

“I believe it does.”

A soft knock on the outside door drew their attention.

“I’ll see to our visitor,” Noah said. “Wait here.”

Noah left the room. Trystan, Emrys, and Marc waited in silence, listening. A minute later, Noah returned with a young woman clad in leather armor at his side. Marc recognized her immediately as one of the ladies who guarded his mother.

“Saffir,” Marc said, his voice serious.

Saffir bowed. “Your Grace, I am glad to have found you. The Queen sends for you.” She tucked her long, windblown, blonde hair behind her ears. Her cheeks flushed, tears lining her lashes. “She and the baby are not well, Your Grace.”

“My mother has given birth?”

“Yes. A baby girl, Your Grace.” Saffir’s voice remained soft, worried. “But her lungs and heart are very weak.”

Marc tore his gaze from Saffir and looked at Trystan. His mind raced, contemplating his options. His mother had survived difficult labors and child birth before, so he had to believe she would not have risked sending for him if it were not important. His chest tightened.

“Go, Marc.”

“I don’t want to leave you.”

“I am safe here.”

“Last night and this morning are evidence to the contrary.”

Trystan looked at Emrys. “I am as safe with Emrys as I am with you. Tend to your mother and come back to me.”

Marc fixed his concerned gaze on Emrys.

“On my life, Your Grace,” Emrys answered the question in the Prince’s mind.

Marc nodded. He pressed a kiss to Trystan’s lips. “I will return as soon as I can.”

“I know.”