Page 71 of Awakening

Chapter 16

The hours-long ride to Lundain gave Trystan far too much time to think. His thoughts mostly centered on the years he’d apparently spent with Myrddin as his husband and the little girl they’d raised together. Emma.

There is much truth in what appears to be a lie.

Trystan wondered what Myrddin’s parting words had truly meant. Some part of his experiences in the labyrinth must hold some degree of verity. Perchance Emrys did love him, or perchance Emma was out there somewhere, in this world, and if so, where was she, and did she need him?

And Emrys. He’d told Trystan that the prophecy called for him to unite with a descendant of Arthur, but Emrys had interpreted the prophecy wrong. That opened the possibility that fate was wrong, especially with the way it seemed the path to defeating Morgaine kept changing, and would explain why his heart was so torn between the two men he loved.

As difficult as it might be—and he knew it would—Trystan needed to focus on finding the path to saving the kingdom from Morgaine’s wrath. He glanced at the silver ring on his finger and thought of the inscription inside, and Marc’s response when he’d spoken them.A trade I would make a thousand times. He cast a sideways glance at Marc as he rode beside him. A soothing feeling washed over him, calming the anxiety in his heart.

Trystan hoped he was making the right choice.

***

The sun hung low on the horizon as Trystan, Marc, and Emrys reached the outskirts of Lundain. They arrived at Kaldwyr Palace a short while later. Marc and Trystan went to see the Queen straight away while Emrys set out to speak with the Regent King. Twilight would descend upon them within the hour, and they all agreed to meet in the celestial gardens just before sunset.

King Locryn had just entered his private reception room when his secretary announced Emrys and ushered him in. The King approached Emrys and the two men clasped wrists.

“Good morrow, Emrys.”

“Good morrow, Your Grace.”

Locryn released Emrys’ arm. “I presume my son and—what was his name? Trystan?—arrived with you?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Good. Then there is cause for celebration as I understand it.” Locryn poured himself a cup of wine then gestured to Emrys with the pitcher in his hand, his eyebrows raised. “Like some?”

“If it please, Your Grace.”

“Enough with Your Grace, old friend.” Locryn poured wine into another cup and handed the drink to Emrys.

“What are we celebrating, Locryn?”

“If I’m to believe my queen, my son’s forthcoming marriage to the lost heir.”

“Endelyn told you.”

“Is it true, Emrys? Is Trystan truly Arthur’s heir?”

“Yes.”

“Endelyn said you are his protector. Myrddin of Camelot.”

Emrys held the King’s gaze. “I am.”

“By the Gods’ blood, Emrys, I have only dreamed of this moment. And Trystan? He has chosen my son as his mate?”

“Fate chose them for each other.”

Locryn’s face fell. “I did not believe Marc when he told me.”

“Their bond is rare, Locryn. You’re not to blame. Most do not believe.”

“Yes, I suppose. So what, now, my friend?”

“A war may be coming. We may have need of your armies, but we can discuss all that in the morning. The bonding ceremony is tonight in the celestial gardens beneath the Azure Moon.”