Morgan Le Fay was waiting when Julie pulled into the inner ward at Tintagel’s first tower.

  Julie parked at the foot of the statue of King Arthur and spent a few silent moments sitting in the car, staring at Morgan. The powerful fae was always fiercely beautiful, her expressive eyes a peerless shade of hazel and her jet-black hair tumbling down her back.

  Today, Morgan was more than beautiful; she was clothed in radiant splendor. Her wings were spread wide, glittering in the sunlight, and her smile held a peace that Julie had never seen there before.

  Morgan knows the world is finally rid of Mordred, Hat murmured. She hasn’t relaxed in centuries.

  It shows. Julie’s hands loosened on the wheel.

  Don’t forget that you brought about that peace by the power of Luna, Hat reminded her.

  Julie stepped out of Genevieve and held out her arms. Morgan trotted over and wrapped her in a warm embrace. Unexpected tears started in Julie’s eyes, forcing her to fight them back.

  “I’m so glad to see you,” Morgan murmured.

  Julie hugged her tighter. “It’s good to see you too, Morgan.”

  Morgan stepped back and held Julie at arm’s length, scrutinizing her in a way no one else could. Her beautiful eyes pierced the pit of Julie’s being.

  “This is hard,” she murmured, “but you are a victor.”

  Julie’s smile fluttered. “Thanks.”

  “Everything okay on the road?” Morgan threaded an arm through Julie’s and led her into the tower. “You were late, but Genevieve smells like burned rubber, so I can’t assume you were simply cruising.”

  “Oh, yeah. Everything was fine. A silly interlude with a salamander.” Julie snorted.

  Morgan raised an eyebrow.

  Julie shook her head. “Nothing to worry about.”

  “How is Eglantine?” Morgan asked.

  Julie sighed. “She’s great, but she’s back in the Deep. She could only stay for Mother’s funeral. I guess that’s how things are going to be now.”

  “It must be difficult.” Morgan grimaced. “I’ve never had a dragon bond, but I know how much Arthur missed Elzaphine, and she was only Lady-in-Waiting at the time. She didn’t have to spend as much time in the Deep.”

  “We’ll figure it out.” Julie smiled. “I’m comfortable with that. Besides, we can always talk on our telepathic connection, only less frequently than we used to when she was an egg. She’s got other things to occupy her mind now, obviously.”

  “A dragon bond is unbreakable,” Morgan told her. “Even by distance.”

  Julie smiled. “How are things here?”

  “Here?” Morgan grinned. “You’ll see in a moment.”

  She led Julie into the heart of the tower and pushed open a small wooden door leading into a deep, shady orchard with knee-high grass, filled with green trees that bowed low to the ground under the weight of the cherries clustered on their branches. Grass straggled over a paved pathway inlaid with selenite. The same translucent crystal also dotted the stone bier at the center of the orchard, which looked strangely naked without the glass casket that had dominated it for so long.

  The king who had lain in that casket for ten thousand years was sitting on the bier, his posture relaxed and easy, one ankle up on the opposite knee and his hands folded over his shin. King Arthur’s skin was pearlescent against hair as black as space. He wore a sapphire-blue silken tunic with a matching cloak that spilled over the bier. A circlet of gold olive leaves rested on the shining hair, and his sparkling blue eyes spotted Julie and Morgan the moment they stepped into the orchard.

  Julie waved, and Arthur acknowledged her with a faint dip of his head. Then he turned his attention back to the gathering of Lunar Fae children sitting cross-legged in the grass in front of him. Each clutched a tablet—the electronic kind—and focused ferociously on the screen.

  “You have six more minutes,” Arthur told them.

  The handful of children ranged from baby-chubby little kids to gawky teenagers. At Arthur’s words, they buckled down, leaning close to their tablets and making quick selections on the screens.

  “What’s up?” Julie whispered.

  “A history test,” Morgan told her. “Arthur believes no fae child should grow up without knowing the history of their species.”

  Grief made tears come quickly. Julie had to swallow the lump in her throat before she could speak. “I agree.”

  Morgan rubbed her arm.

  One by one, the children set down their tablets. An extra minute slipped past before the last and smallest child finished and put her tablet down with a thump.

  “Done!” she announced proudly.

  “Excellent, Ophelianne.” Arthur beamed. “Well done, everyone. Now go for that swim you’ve been badgering me for since breakfast.”

  “Yeah!” The oldest boy scooped Ophelianne onto his shoulders. “Let’s go!”

  Julie stepped aside as the gaggle of happy children spilled out of the orchard, laughing. A tiny silver dragon appeared to gather the tablets, and Arthur thanked him before approaching Julie. Despite his pale skin, there was a healthy moonlight glow rising from within him, and his shoulders were broader than the last time Julie had seen him.

  “Julie.” Arthur kissed the back of her hand and bowed. “It’s wonderful to see you.”

  “This is great, Your Majesty.” Julie glanced at the tower as the children’s laughter faded within it.

  “It is not the way I remember Tintagel being at the height of the former Golden Age, but it is nonetheless magnificent.” Arthur squeezed her hand. “It is a better day for our people than yesterday.”

  “Thanks to you,” Julie told him. “As usual.”

  “I’m not alone.” Arthur wrapped an arm around Morgan’s shoulders and gave her cheek a lingering kiss.

  Morgan giggled. “Artie’s right. We have a few more children, and one or two adults have come out of hiding since Mordred was killed. We hope for many more.”

  “The key to bringing our people back will be reclaiming the changelings,” Julie murmured.

  Arthur nodded. “There are many. They deserve to know who they truly are.”

  “After the queendom is established and the last of Mordred’s followers are found and rehabilitated, maybe that’s something you and I could do together.” Julie smiled.

  Arthur’s eyes turned misty. “Yes. Yes, I would like that very much.” He rested a hand on Julie’s shoulder. “I understand you have something to discuss with me.”

  “I'll keep an eye on the kids while they’re swimming. You two can talk royalty stuff,” Morgan suggested.

  Arthur chuckled. “Morgan, you are as much a queen as I am a king.”

  “I also know that you’re King Arthur, my darling, and there’s a reason you are a legend.” Morgan kissed his cheek. “Lunch afterward, Julie?”

  “Yeah, that would be great.” Julie nodded. “Thank you.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Morgan strode down the hall after the children, and Arthur and Julie strolled toward the bridge linking Tintagel’s towers. Julie closed her eyes as they stepped into the open air. The wind stirred the scents of heather and the sea. The heather-purple moor plunged onto the warm golden beach, then met the endless blue of the ocean, which was patterned with shadows as clouds chased one another across the sky.

  “It will storm later,” Arthur observed.

  Julie sighed. “I’m not here to talk about the weather, Your Majesty.”

  “I know.” Arthur stopped and rested his elbows on the battlements. “Tell me what’s in your heart, and I’ll bear it with you if I can.”

  Julie propped her arms on the sun-warmed sandstone. “I bet you can guess. Have you seen the news?”

  Arthur chuckled. “Making waves as usual.”

  “Yeah, well. That’s what everyone says, but this time, I’m not so sure,” Julie admitted.

  Arthur raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

  “Well, I kind of upended the entire monarchy,” Julie pointed out. “I might have screwed up the whole queen thing on my first day.”

  Arthur gave a belly-deep guffaw.

  “What’s so funny?” Julie demanded, planting her hands on her hips.

  “Oh, Julie.” Arthur turned to her. “If my centuries of kingship taught me anything, it’s this. If you never think you screwed up, you’re doing it wrong.”

  Julie tilted her head.

  “If you never make mistakes, you are doing nothing. That’s the biggest mistake of all,” Arthur continued. “You are making sweeping changes in the paranormal world for the good of your people. I cannot promise that all those changes will be the right ones, but I do have every confidence that if one of your decisions leads to an unexpected consequence, you will do whatever it takes to make things right for your subjects.”

  Julie bit her lip. “Of course I will. That’s my job. My duty.”

  “Exactly.” Arthur gripped her shoulders. “You will do that duty until your last breath, with everything you have and the power of Luna. That is the best that any of us can offer one another.”

  Julie smiled. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” She hesitated. “For the record, I respect everything about the Eternity Throne you established, regardless of any changes I⁠—”

  “Don’t justify your decision, Julie. Least of all to me.” Arthur chuckled. “There is no need. I broke the trail, but I pray that every king and queen who follows in my footsteps improves the path.”

  “Not to mix your metaphors or anything.” Julie blinked. “There are going to be consequences, one way or another.”

  “Of course there are.” Arthur released her shoulders. “Most notably, your safety will be threatened since Lotan is making a bid for the Eternity Throne.”

  Julie grimaced. “Yeah, I got that. Nothing we can’t handle.”

  “You must be careful, Julie. The only way this plan of yours can succeed is if you are here to implement it.” Arthur’s smile vanished. “You are aware, are you not, that there is a possibility that you will not receive the unanimous vote?”

  Julie squared her shoulders. “Yes.”

  Arthur tilted his head. “What do you hope for?”

  Julie turned to the sea and watched the sunlight create tiny stars on its surface. “The best for my subjects, obviously.”

  Arthur laughed. “Of course I know that. What do you want, Julie?”

  Julie stared at the sea before responding. “I want to be queen like my mother was.”

  Arthur rested a hand on her back.

  “It feels right.” Julie sighed. “It feels like what I’m destined for.”

  “Your destiny is great, no matter what title you bear,” Arthur murmured. “Do not get caught up in proving yourself to your people to win the vote. You have done what needs to be done. Keep your mind on the peace summit and on healing the queendom you so recently saved from tyranny.”

  Julie closed her eyes, allowing his wisdom to wash over her like refreshing rain.

  “Never stop being who you were created to be,” Arthur added. “You have been a force for change everywhere you go because that is how Luna made you, and it is magnificent.”

  Julie opened her eyes and laughed. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

  Arthur beamed. He reached for her hand and wrapped his fingers around it. “Your mother would be proud of you, My Queen,” he whispered. “I know I am.”

  Arthur’s words still echoed in Julie’s heart an hour later as she streaked through the ocean, her wings propelling her through the cool water. Bubbles streamed down from the surface, supplying her with air as she kept pace with Morgan, whose blue dress rippled like it was one with the sea.

  A hundred feet below, merfolk astride giant seahorses herded a group of sea turtles across a green meadow dappled with sunlight. Julie raised a hand in greeting and barely saw the pale flashes of their palms before she and Morgan left them far behind. Currentsound, the merfolk city, sparkled on their right, then melted into the distance.

  You okay? Morgan called through the link Julie shared with all Lunar Fae.

  Julie sped up and drew level with Morgan. Absolutely. I wish Eggy was here, that’s all.

  Soon. When things are more settled in the Deep. Morgan smiled.

  Ahead, the ruined city of Whalesgate sprawled over the ocean floor, tall buildings spaced far apart and the mighty gates that gave the city its name towering above everything.

  Julie and Morgan pulled up a few hundred feet from the city walls and floated in the still water.

  Weird to see the city so empty, Julie mused. The last time I was here, it was filled with stone dragons.

  I remember when it was filled with selkies. Morgan bowed her head in respect for the selkies’ sacrifice. Come on. The reef isn’t far.

  She shot forward, and Julie pursued her as they swam over the city. In a few minutes, color sparkled on the horizon, and the sea became warmer and shallower. A giant coral reef filled the seascape before them, sprouting massive corals in every color: hazy pinks and oranges, flagrant reds, and imperial purple. In the sunbaked waters, life teemed. Creatures wove and darted between the stalks of coral and the waving tentacles of anemones the size of houses.

  Wow, Julie whispered.

  Morgan grinned. Avalon still has many secrets for you to uncover.

  Maybe Taylor and I will go on that honeymoon when all this is over, Julie murmured. Make a point of seeing more of it.

  Morgan touched her shoulder. Excellent idea.

  They slowed as they swam through the coral, fish and eels darting in all directions as they approached. A herd of hippocampi swam overhead, bobbing to the surface to inhale through equine nostrils, then diving with strong surges of their dolphin tails.

  Look! Morgan pointed.

  A sea dragon whose sparkling scales were every shade of blue lay curled at the base of a nearby coral. Her claws were wrapped around a shining blue egg the size of a watermelon.

  There are more. Julie nodded at a huge orange anemone. Two dragons swam between the tentacles, bubbles streaming up as they laughed.

  The sea dragons returned to life. Morgan shook her head, her smile wide. I never thought I’d see the day.

  A shadow fell over Julie and Morgan, and a current grabbed Julie as an enormous dragon surged through the water above them. They stopped as Elirabor gamboled in front of them, arching his back to form a perfect circle, long nose touching the fins at the end of his tail. He hung there for a moment, his rainbow scales reflecting the sun with holographic brilliance, then relaxed and settled onto an elkhorn coral the size of a small town.

  The ruff of fins around the dragon king’s head flared. All hail Queen Julia! he called, emitting a low rumble through his nose that sent shock waves across the reef. Then he bowed, lowering his head between his front limbs.

  The reef was abruptly still. Every creature within sight—every crab and shrimp, fish and turtle, anemone and urchin and starfish—turned to face Julie, then bowed.

  Please rise. Julie spread her arms, hoping the water would hide her blush.

  The reef creatures went about their business, and Julie and Morgan swam to the tip of the elkhorn coral. Silt stirred around Julie’s bare feet as she settled onto it.

  Thank you for inviting us to your lands, Your Majesty. Julie bowed.

  It is always an honor to welcome the Eternity Queen and the one who returned us to life. Elirabor grinned. Behold my people. They are free!

  A group of dragons swam past so quickly that bubbles squirted in their wake. The echoes of their laughter rippled across the reef. Julie closed her eyes, savoring the sounds.

  There is nothing better than knowing that one’s subjects are well, is there? Elirabor murmured.

  Julie tilted her head back to look at him. Nothing, she agreed.

  Elirabor lowered his head toward Julie and exhaled twin jets of warm water that swirled around her. My heart is with yours, young queen.

  Thank you. Julie rested her hand on the warm, smooth scales of his nose. I wanted to be sure that you were content with your people’s representation at the council. I understand that the dragons are unified, but it is vital that your unique interests and needs are discussed at the council.

  Elirabor smiled, displaying pale fangs. I have total faith in Alugon, Your Majesty. He has been in regular contact with me. All is well.

  Good. Julie nodded. Alugon knows what he’s doing.

  I agree. Elirabor tilted his head. It is my turn to ask you a question that might be more personal than professional.

  Julie spread her hands. Shoot.

  I know my granddaughter is shining in her role as queen, but you are her bond. No one knows her heart better than you do. Elirabor’s ruff settled on his neck. Tell me, how is Eglantine? How is my child’s heart?

  Julie stroked his nose. Eggy’s strength astounds me, Elirabor. She’s a fireball. She laughed. Her tenacity and joy are genuine. She was born for this, and she knows it. She paused. I think she worries more for you than herself. She never knew Ennowen as a sane, gentle dragon. You must be suffering deeply.

  Elirabor turned his head away. My heart is broken over what my wife became, yet it is my wonderful granddaughter who puts it back together.

  You’re proud of her, Julie observed.

  Elirabor’s smile returned. Proud? I am awed by her. Eglantine will become one of the greatest queens dragonkind has ever known. More than that, her joy fills my heart.

  Seeing your people like this fills my heart, Julie admitted. She rested a hand on Morgan’s shoulder. Thanks, Morgan. I needed this.

  Morgan winked. I know.

  I have reigned for thousands of years, Your Majesty, and if I may offer a morsel of advice to a younger ruler, let it be this. Elirabor lowered his head. Hold fast to the pillars that support you, like this one.

  Julie squeezed Morgan’s shoulder. I’m planning on it.

  Julie stepped out of her Tintagel suite, rubbing her damp hair. She tossed Hat onto her head in a purple chapeau form, which went nicely with the cloak she wore over her armor.

  Ew, your hair’s wet, Hat moaned.

  You’re the one who didn’t want to go to the reef with us. Quit whining. Julie strode into the hallway.