Lancelot’s eyes light up. “Oh yes, I meant to tell you. He’s healed from the blood transfusion. He can walk now. You’re like the ultimate bearer of joy.”
I laugh. “That’s a description of me I thought I’d never hear.”
“Tell me about it. You want help with your bags?”
I shake my head. “No, I’ve got it. Thanks though.” As I grab my luggage, I pause. “Don’t forget to keep the security tight. Just because Mordred is dead…”
“Oh, so you can’t let go of your job, after all.”
I sigh. “Just be careful. Mordred is only one of the Luminaries. He was working for someone higher than him. Someone named Lucius. The knights must seek him out.”
“Lucius, huh? Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything while you’re away.”
“Hope so.”
I head out, wheeling my luggage in front of me.
“Don’t forget,” Lancelot yells. “Call me.”
In the hallway I pass by Merlin. We nod at each other once as if we’re distant colleagues, and then I stop in my tracks. He also pauses.
“Good luck,” Merlin says.
“Thank you. You too.”
He frowns as if bothered before continuing on.
I walk out of the Knight Station. In front, my chauffeur that the Cabinet hired is waiting for me. Various knights are gathered, along with Guinevere, Arthur, Tristan, Isolde, and Fisher, who is no longer in his wheelchair—he is standing straight and beaming. They surround me with their hugs and good-byes. I’ve never realized how many friends I had.
“Will you be back soon?” Arthur asks after parting from me. “There’s so much I wanted to talk to you about.”
I straighten the Pendragon badge on his chest. “When it’s right, I’ll be back. In the meantime… accept your quest, King Arthur.”
“I’ll be the best king I can,” he says. “I promise you that.”
The chauffeur puts my luggage in the trunk and opens the passenger door for me. I get in. Everyone waves as the car moves forward.
We pass the statue of the Grail Guardian. To me it was always a beautiful sculpture—but now it means something even more: a real woman who is out there, still in the Castle of Crows. She had chosen the hard path to fulfill her quest, just as I am now.
Emerald Field, Apple Grove, and Study Tower scroll by me. Camelot will soon become smaller and smaller. Should I look back? I’m not sure if it will be too hard for me to look at Camelot one more time. I sneak a glance back. Movement in front of the castle catches my eye. Someone is running after the car. He’s in a suit. He stops.
Merlin stands in front of Camelot, watching us disappear.
I turn back and briefly meet eyes with the chauffeur through the rearview mirror. He saw it too.
“You want to turn back?” he asks. “Looks like someone wanted to say good-bye to you.”
I keep my eyes ahead as we reach the gates that will take us outside the walls of Camelot.
“No,” I say. “I’m ready to go.”
Our conversation can wait.
I’ve already decided.
When I come back, that’s when my real story begins.
To be continued…
About the Author
Realm Lovejoy is an American writer and an artist. She grew up in both Washington State and the Japanese Alps of Nagano, Japan. Currently she lives in Seattle and works as an art director in the video game industry. Her novels include: Clan, Henge (Le Fay series), Sword (Le Fay series), and Grail (Le Fay series).
You can find out more about her and her books at www.realmlovejoy.com
Acknowledgments
First of all, thank you to all the readers of the Le Fay series for picking up the third book. You are all my number-one inspiration for publishing these books. I appreciate every word you send me, every review you write, and every recommendation of the series. I hope you will stay with Morgan le Fay until her journey ends. Stay tuned for the next book, which will be the last of the Le Fay quartet.
Huge thanks to my husband, Joe Pedersen, for encouraging me the past five years as I drafted the series. He accompanied me on my research journey to the UK, going to Wales and the crow castle Dinas Bran, where some say used to be Corbenic. For photos, please find my blog at: www.realmlovejoy.com
Thanks to my agent, Jessica Regel, who believed in the story and encouraged me to turn Le Fay into a series.
Big thanks to my amazing editing team: Jen Rees, Christine Florie, Josette Haddad, and Annie at Anne Victory. My editors have a strong understanding of Morgan le Fay’s story, and they continue to help me make the series the best it can be.
Thank you to Guido Henkel for formatting the e-book version.
Last, but not least, thanks to all my family and friends who are so kind and continually show their support for the series! Your words strengthen me, and I’m grateful for each of you.
More Books by Realm Lovejoy
CLAN
LE FAY SERIES
HENGE
SWORD
GRAIL
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Grail Page 12