Emrys took a deep, shuddering breath. “It is almost done,” he said.

Lila glanced at him; he hadn’t let go of her hand. “Almost?”

“He is the Once and Future King,” Emrys said. “Once is done. The future waits.”

“When his people need him, he will awaken,” Lila said, remembering.

Emrys slanted a glance at her. “Is that what they say, in the future?”

She blinked, puzzled. “Isn’t that what they say now?”

Emrys shook his head. “If that’s what they say, they never had to kick His Majesty out of bed in the morning.” He did let go of her hand and turned to her. “Now it’s your turn.”

“My turn? When did you have time to figure it out?” Lila asked.

“I think,” Emrys said quietly, “somewhere I always knew. But I was selfish, and I wanted to wait.”

“Wait for what?”

Emrys leaned in and kissed her softly. She kissed him back, tasted the salt of his tears and his regret, his hurt and his longing and his want. He pulled back and whispered against her skin,

“Goodbye, Lila,” and her world was swallowed in light.