Page 67 of Awakening

Arthur’s head fell sideways, and the dying king’s gaze caught Trystan’s. A gleam akin to recognition hinted in his eyes, and a barely discernible smile touched Arthur’s lips. Arthur took his hand from his chest and extended it in Trystan’s direction.

“Do not fail him, Myrddin,” Arthur whispered, though it seemed to fall on deaf ears.

The life passed from his eyes as Arthur took his last breath on the field of battle. Trystan held back tears as he reached for his father’s outstretched hand. A sticky, warmth coated Trystan’s palm and fingers as he grasped Arthur’s hand.

“No!” Morgaine screeched, and Trystan glanced upward in time to watch Excalibur slowly vanish.

The vision faded, and Trystan found himself kneeling in the dark tomb, his fist closed around nothing.

Trystan blinked and stood, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. A glow from the corner of his eye drew his attention, and he looked down at his side. A soft, green light emanated from the scabbard of the unassuming sword. Though the dark magic had made him believe the sword was nothing more than that of a former knight, Trystan had known in his heart that it was more.

Trystan unsheathed the Sword of Kings and held it in front of him, grateful to see the blade retake its true form. The engravings on the blade glowed as they had before. As Trystan moved his free hand under the blade to support it, the light from the sword intensified, and Trystan looked down at his hand.

A damp, dark red substance stained his palm and fingers.

Trystan’s eyes widened, a shiver coursing through his bones.

The blood of Arthur.

The vision had somehow left him with the very thing he needed. Trystan didn’t understand how that was possible but nevertheless, he gently rubbed his hand over the steel blade.

The pale green glow turned a deep red as Trystan trailed his fingers down the entire length of the metal. When he pulled his hand away, a small blue flame erupted from within the beginning of the etched marking closest to the hilt and slowly cascaded across the blade, tracing through each of the ancient markings. Upon the flame reaching the tip, the fire enflamed and then receded into the metal.

Trystan let out a breath, his heart pounding, and a soft laugh broke free. He’d done it. He’d followed through, following the path he’d felt was right, and he’d united the blood of Arthur with Excalibur. Now, he only needed to escape the labyrinth.

Back on the stallion, Trystan set off across the countryside once more. The Wynford sped gracefully toward the still dark horizon. Dawn, he expected, was still a few hours away.

Mist condensed around him, and Trystan suspected they were nearing the ancient monument. Just as before, the Wynford slid to a halt. The towering stones were barely visible in the fog. Trystan dismounted quickly and patted the horse on its shoulder as he strode by. As he took his first step into the ring, a despairing voice called out to him.

“Da?”

Trystan paused mid-stride, the one little word slicing through his heart. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself forward.She isn’t real.

“Da, where are you going?”

Trystan couldn’t resist his daughter’s sweet, heartbroken voice, and he turned to face her. “Remember I told you I had to leave for a little while, bug?”

“Yes.”

“Well, something I need is in the circle of these stones.”

“Can I come with you?”

Trystan shook his head. “You need to stay here and look after Papa. He’s going to need you while I’m away.”

“When will you be back?”

“I don’t know, bug.”

Emma ran toward him, and Trystan knelt to hug her. He squeezed her tight, burying his face in her mess of long, unruly hair, breathing her in and committing everything about her to memory. He sniffled a little as he embraced her.

“You’re not coming back, are you?” Emma’s tiny voice came out as a soft, solemn whisper.

Trystan took a deep breath. He couldn’t lie to her. “No.”

The little girl’s warm tears cascaded down her cheeks and Trystan’s neck. Trystan couldn’t stop his own tears from falling.

“I’m so sorry, bug. But I love you. I promise you I love you and I won’t ever, ever forget you.”