Page 50 of Awakening
Emrys watched from a short distance as Marc embraced Trystan. Marc stood behind him with his arms wrapped tightly around his waist. He could tell how much the Prince loved him, which was exactly why Emrys needed to get his emotions under control. Trystan was not meant to be his. Not for another lifetime hundreds of years from now. Yet, he’d never had such difficulty restraining from what his heart and body wanted so naturally to do.
Bond.
The desire to bond with Trystan had made its first, subtle appearance a couple months ago, shortly after Owaine died, and had grown each day since. Trystan had developed similar feelings as of late, but the timing had been all wrong. As much as he’d wanted to, Emrys knew he couldn’t make Trystan his. Trystan needed to be with Marc. And now, it was time for the next step in his destiny.
“We should be on our way soon and not delay much longer,” Emrys advised as he walked up behind them.
Trystan and Marc both turned to face him.
“I would suggest that Camelot be our first destination. With any luck, the stone needed to resurrect the fortress will have already appeared,” Emrys added.
Trystan stared at him, his gaze vacant. His eyes flickered. A subtle, glowing ring appeared around the edges of his pale blue irises. He blinked. The glow faded.
“No,” Trystan said. His voice echoed with unwavering confidence. “We can’t go to Camelot yet.”
“Then where to, Trystan?” Emrys asked.Make the choice.
He saw it again. The faint glow. Trystan’s eyes fluttered.
Blinking again, Trystan refocused. A choice had to be made. Somehow, he knew what to do. He’d seen it. Felt it. Just like Emrys said he would. He remembered having this feeling before, but at the time, didn’t understand it. Now he did.
“Lundain,” he whispered. Trystan turned around, stepping out of Marc’s embrace, and looked up at Marc. “We will need your father’s armies, and it’s imperative that you see your mother.”
“Then we’d better be going,” Emrys said without hesitation. “Our time is limited. Come. We have a long ride ahead of us.”
“Are you not able to transport us there like you did yesterday, when you brought us here?” Trystan frowned.
“No, Trystan. Not without Morgaine sensing my magic.”
“Then how is it that she can’t find us here?” Marc asked.
“The ruins presently surrounding us were known once as Tintagel.”
Trystan raised both brows.
“Yes, your father’s birthplace.” Emrys confirmed. “A protection spell surrounds these ruins, which also prevents anyone from detecting magic used within, but out there,” Emrys pointed east, beyond the ruins, “Morgaine could easily determine our location if I use any magic. That is why we will go on horseback.”
Emrys waved his hand and three beautiful, identical black horses appeared in the grassy courtyard just steps away. Taller than the average horse, their entire bodies were powerfully built. Their coats and hair were entirely black and each had light green eyes. Trystan recognized them as the same horses that both Marc and Emrys had been riding recently.Curious.
Marc recognized them as well. “Excellent choice, Emrys,” he praised. “How long do you think it will take us to reach the palace?”
“Normally, it would take several days from here. However, with these fine animals, we can be there by tomorrow afternoon, or tomorrow morning even, if we, ourselves, can keep up with them.”
Trystan cast a suspicious glance at Marc and then Emrys. “All right. I recognize them, but what do you both know that I don’t?”
Emrys grinned. “These horses are known as Wynfords—a crossbreed I developed for Arthur and his knights. They can maintain a speed of up to twenty miles per hour for days, with little rest or water. A trait I believe Marc has discovered recently.”
“I had wondered,” Marc said, rubbing his palm over the neck of one of the horses.
Trystan moved to stand in front of one of the black stallions. The horse bowed its head toward him, and he reached up to rub the side of its face and nose. The magnificent animal whinnied softly. “Beautiful creatures too.”
“Intelligent but stubborn, and loyal to a fault. They can scent your bloodline. They know who you are.” Emrys mounted one of the Wynfords. “Shall we head out?”
Marc and Trystan each mounted a horse. Trystan nodded to Emrys. Emrys rode out of the ruins and started east with Marc and Trystan close behind him.
***
Queen Mysel listened carefully as she consulted with her advisors regarding Morgaine’s proposal. In the council chamber, a room carved in the trunk near the top of the tree, General Îarik, Princess Saiorse, and the other council members sat in a circle with the Queen, each on their own large floor pillow.