my wings and my body lifts up into a current of air that will blow me toward the forest and
Merlin.
My flight takes me over the castle and I look down at its inhabitants, tiny as ants as they
swirl in patterns around the courtyard, going about their business. I fly closer so that I can
see them more clearly, for I am intrigued to find out what people might do, how they might
act when they believe themselves unobserved.
I see my mother, and my heart catches in my feathered breast. She is sitting in her
private arbor. With her is Uther Pendragon. As I watch, he places his hand on her stomach
and leans over to kiss her cheek. She laughs, and puts her hand over his—and I realize the
significance of what I see. Looking at them now, at the way their joined hands stroke the
curve of her belly, I understand that soon I shall have yet another rival for my mother’s love.
How I hate Uther Pendragon! I hate him for the way he took my father’s place so soon
after he was killed. That he loves my mother beyond reason, I have no doubt. But I blame him
most bitterly for my father’s death in battle and for seizing our kingdom. I also blame him for
taking my mother away from me. These days (stet) has eyes only for him.
If only I knew how to do it, I would strike Uther Pendragon dead! And my mother’s
unborn child with him. Merlin has promised to teach me more tricks and more magic than
mere shape-shifting; he’s promised to give me all the gifts I shall need to rule a kingdom. I
don’t want another rival for Merlin’s affection. What I really want is to change things back
to how they were; to turn back time and have power over life and death, and that’s what I