The High Queen — Nancy McKenzie

THE CHILDLESS QUEEN
The prophecy spoken at Queen Guinevere's birth had been fulfilled. Guinevere reigned strong and true, at the side of her beloved King Arthur. Together, they had forged a legendary kingdom, and its fame would live forever. Yet there had been a dark side to the prophecy, and the white shadow of fate ever hung over the Queen.

Now Guinevere thought she knew what that shadow was: she was barren. She accepted that--just as she accepted that Arthur must have an heir. And the only true heir of his body was Mordred--offspring of a cursed encounter with Arthur's own sister, the witch Morgause.

Guinevere couldn't give Arthur her own child, so she would give him his own son: Mordred. She would raise the boy, teach him to be a king. He would be like Arthur--wise, coolheaded. He would honor Camelot and all it stood for. She would love him like a mother.

He was to be her greatest joy, and her greatest despair...