Excerpt: Alone at the Edge of the World

Morgana

I lay in bed, facing the opposite side of my room than everyone seemed to be on. Someone’s hand was on my right shoulder, and I could hear Arthur pacing around. The door creaked slightly when it opened and Arthur stopped moving.

“More flowers, Gwen?”

I could well imagine the look she gave him. “If she wakes up today, she’ll appreciate them.”

Wake up today? How long had I been asleep? No… Not asleep, I corrected myself as vague memories of Gaius saying something about a curse came back to me.

And then I realized whose hand had to be on my shoulder, when Uther spoke, voice tired. “It has been four days, Guinevere. While the rest of us appreciate the gesture--”

I smiled, and then realized that Uther had cause to be worried. If I had been out and had shown no signs of waking up, then lying here would be cruel. So I rolled over and opened my eyes, meeting my foster father’s with a smile. “I do appreciate the flowers, Gwen.” But I cut off my tirade to Arthur when I noticed Uther’s face paling. He reached out with a hand and gently moved my chin so I faced him instead of his son. I frowned, suddenly scared but determined not to show it. “What’s wrong?”

“Does it hurt?”

I sat up in bed, drawing away from Uther and looking at Arthur and Gwen, both of whom looked confused at first, but Arthur’s crossed arms dropped to his side, and Gwen paled. “Does what hurt?”

Arthur and Uther looked at each other, and Gwen shot a nervous look at Uther before quietly responding, “Your eyes are gold.”