“A run-in with your mighty mage. He, ugh, landed a spell wrong, I’m afraid.”
Arthur nodded and turned tragic eyes on Gwen. “You’re safe, my queen. I imagined the worst. The chalice gave me no memory of you beyond this night.”
Gwen took Arthur’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “That’s because we’re going home.”
Arthur nodded and turned away. He walked back to his horse and pulled out the magical wooden box from his saddlebag. Ari’s breath lodged in her throat. This was what she’d seen all those weeks ago: Arthur handing over the chalice. “To be honest, I’m glad you’ll have this. It is too much power for my time.”
Gwen embraced Arthur. “I’m sorry we had to trick you. We didn’t have a choice.”
“We had a few choices,” Ari griped.
“We had no promising choice.”
“There’s my politician.”
Gwen’s glare turned to a blush. “Ari—”
“Please,” Arthur said. Ari couldn’t believe how much older Arthur appeared, weathered and yet ready. “My future is before me, but it’s a map torn with failure. If the chalice is right, I will let you go, and then, perhaps, however you see fit to use it will set me free in this future of yours.”
“The chalice didn’t tell you the end, did it?” Ari asked, imagining the deal she’d soon be making for Arthur’s soul.
“I saw no end but the hope for an end. What is it they will say in your time? Rise up with hope.” Arthur smiled sadly. “I’m only angered in that this was probably your plan all along. Work your way into my favor and then take the chalice.”
Ari opened her mouth to admit as much, but Gwen threw a sharp elbow.
Arthur opened the box and plucked the chalice out. He held it toward Ari and then pulled it back. And handed it to Gwen. Gwen took it, sharpish, holding it to her chest. “What will you use it for?” Arthur asked.
“Oh, save the universe,” Ari said. “That sort of thing.”
Arthur smiled as if maybe he could understand. “And how will a little cup do that?”
“Good fucking question.” Ari stared at it. “One chalice defeating a monstrous corporation and saving the universe sounds about as solid of a plan as strange women lying in ponds, distributing swords.”
“No quoting Merlin!” Gwen said, choking up suddenly. Ari wrapped an arm around her and felt the aching spot in her chest that longed for their kids.
“You two really are married, aren’t you?” Arthur asked.
“Going on two years,” Ari said, swiftly kissing Gwen’s hand. “No regrets.”
“A few regrets,” Gwen corrected.
Ari winked and turned back to the legendary king, wringing his gloves in his hands, still so unsure. “Arthur, we’re…” What could she say? Sorry they were abandoning him in this medieval hellhole? Leaving him to his cursed fate and the echoes he’d face across time and space?
“I’ll meet you again,” Arthur said with finality. “You know when.”
Ari stared in his blue eyes. The day you save my life.
Arthur nodded in a crestfallen way as if reliving his own future. Ari put a hand on his shoulder, remembering that no matter how small and insignificant the chalice might appear, its wisdom had changed this boy king into a legendary hero.
“You won’t be alone, Arthur,” Lamarack said.
Ari started, looking at them sharply. “Hell, no.”
Lam held up the rolled paperback of Jordan’s MercersNotes. “I’m staying here. To make sure that the legend is complete, so you can go home safely. Please do me the courtesy of not acting surprised.”
Val hiccupped a small groan. Gwen went to Val’s side. Ari shook her head. “It’s a good idea, but no.” She stepped close and held up the chalice. “You have to help us get back to the future and… figure out what to do with it!”
Lam didn’t budge. “Someone needs to stay with Arthur. And be close in case Morgause needs any help with Merlin or Kai.”
Ari didn’t have a response ready for that one.
“Bye, kid.” They leaned in and kissed her. It was a longer kiss than she was prepared for, and Ari opened one eye at a time in the aftermath. Lamarack crossed the shore to kiss Gwen good-bye next. When Gwen swayed a little bit afterward, Ari mouthed, “Right?”
They hugged their brother tightly next, while Val tried to ignore the hug and shake his head as if this weren’t happening. “Ari, stop them.”
“I know this trick. You’re trying to disarm us with your charm,” Ari managed.
Lam smiled. They held their hand out for the chalice. “What if we ask the future?” Ari gave it to them begrudgingly. They looked into it and whispered, “Am I doing the right thing?” The question made water from Nin’s lake rise to the surface, but then, instead of drinking it, they just looked at it. “I don’t have the same love for the future you all do. You know that. I’ve never found my home, my place, my reason. These people—”
“Don’t understand you,” Val chirped.
“But they’re starting to…”
Val kept right on talking, in true sibling fashion. “And even if they did, so much of who you are will get erased by the stories later.”
“That doesn’t mean that what happens here doesn’t matter.” Lam stared at Ari, and she realized that this was the first time Lamarack had ever asked her for anything.
And they were asking to be let go.
Ari grabbed the full chalice back, unable to watch Lam’s doubts take hold just because everyone else wanted them to change their mind. “You don’t need magic to weigh in on your life.” Lam smiled and Ari added, “I love you, and I hate that you’re staying here.”
But she did understand why.
Ari felt this night’s many good-byes turn into one lump in her chest. She found Gwen’s hand, and then Val’s. Best to move fast, through the torturous pain of yet another parting, toward a
