“I don’t think I like what your Uther has been doing,” she whispered as they passed.
“You asked why I stay and not take over,” Merlin said, changing the topic. “I stay because long ago, I promised a man that I would watch over this world. This man had tried and failed to rule as best he could long, long ago. He had a vision that even the Great Mystery would support.”
“Oh, the Great Mystery is just myth and legend created by these humans on their original earth. Longer ago than I care to admit existed.” They were standing on one side of a glass window. Inside, Igrain lay with every limb punctured with needles cleaning her blood, administering cures, and flushing out her system.
“You’re lying. You know I remember. That man was the catalyst for a better world for the humans. And he was destined to save them, but he failed. He always fails.”
“Always?” Vivian asked. “Merlin, do you mean this man is still alive?”
The Lady of the Lake stopped. “Merlin.” She grabbed her fellow Avalonian’s forearm to slow him down. “Is it…Arthur?”
“I need you to watch over Igrain.” He led her into the sick bay.
Igrain lay pale and perspiring so much, her every pore seemed to be leaking.
“Igrain?” he whispered. Her eyes cracked open enough for her to see him.
“You.” Her hoarse voice cracked into a whisper. “Leave me alone. I know what it is you won’t tell me. You are an evil child of Avalon, Merlin.” She closed her eyes and a tear leaked out. “You helped him lie to me. Trick me.” She sobbed weakly. “He never loved me, did he? And here I am, a broken soldier.”
Guilt flooded Merlin’s heart and he couldn’t stop the tears that shot to his eyes at the sight of this once strong and powerful woman now so weak and frail. She was beyond saving—practically already dead.
“You cannot know the greatness with which you will be remembered,” Merlin said softly, not trust his shaking voice. “This time, they will call you Igrain, the mother of kings.” He lied to himself as well. He knew she would never be remembered as she ought to be. He gave way to his emotions and wept. “I am so sorry, Igrain. I’ve failed you and Camelot.”
Her vitals on the display began to race rapidly. She had seconds left to live. She was too weak to be cleansed. He should have just let her die outside Pendragon.
“I can take you to Avalon,” Vivian said quickly. “We can heal you there. I swear.” Something false tainted her voice that Merlin noted, as though she were just trying to please him.
Igrain tried to shake her head, but couldn’t. “You don’t know where Avalon is. Not even Merlin can find it. My Morgause, she searches for Avalon. She is part of it too. Like you.”
The D.R.U.I.Ds didn’t speak. They knew what death looked like and it already had Igrain in its grip, pulling her down fast. Instincts hit Merlin and he ran to the other side of the room to scoop the baby up and brought it to Igrain.
“This is your son, Igrain,” he said. He held the child up. The baby no longer panicked or cried but cooed silently with wide, violet eyes in an alabaster face. “You know Uther will demand that the ruling of Camelot be decided by blood.”
“I know,” Igrain moaned. “You lied to me, Merlin, and helped a great deception. That was very nearly evil of you. You Avalonians were always too docile and loyal to humans. I never knew why.”
“Because we must be,” Vivian murmured. “But we cannot escape it now. Not even any offspring of our own. Uther will make sure of that.”
A mysterious smile spread over Igrain’s pallid lips. “No pure children of Avalon in Camelot. Who will save your people now?” Her eyes flitted to the child in Merlin’s arms. “I understand you now, Merlin.” With a great effort, she reached up and pressed on a red lamp above her bed. In its light, the baby slightly glowed white under a black light.
“A human child of Avalon.” Bitterness steeped her voice. “You beast, Merlin. Creating a monster in the human world. Selfish bastard.”
“You don’t understand. This child will save everyone! Let Vivian take you to Avalon and save you.”
A hoarse, desperate screech tore through Igrain’s throat. “No! I hate Avalon and wish I never experimented with it. I hate Camelot and all of you! I hate the colony project and every human who took our earth from us!” She sobbed and began to convulse. Her throat constricted and she began to gag. “I hope you all die by your own devices!”
“Igrain, stop! It will be alright. I’ll take care of your child. He will be safe. I’ll protect him from all of this as best I can.”
“No, I hate you and all the D.R.U.I.Ds.” She sputtered. “My child. My poor baby.”
With one final jolt, her body twitched and her eyes misted over, her soul taken by the radiation she had endured. The long hours of suffering had reduced the brave soldier to a worthless, frail corpse.
Vivian stood still, unmoved, her face somber and expressionless. She spoke to Merlin, but did not face him.
“Camelot is on the verge of war. I’ve seen our sister Mab as well. She lurks in the dark places looking for men to corrupt. If what you say about Arthur is true, I know why she has emerged. But I can’t think she’s entirely evil after what I have witnessed here.”
Merlin drew his arms tighter around the baby as though he were afraid it would vanish. “What I’ve done isn’t evil. I truly believe that.”
Vivian smiled wickedly, her teeth glowing in the red light. “No, there is nothing malicious about disguising a man with a biological mask and seducing a woman into fornication with
