“Every now and then, it will ache but normally, no, it doesn’t. Now, hop your little bum into bed. There’s no way in hell I’m leaving you alone like this.”
I hesitated, staring at the bed that had been the facilitator of our intimate encounter. Now that I had been inside his quarters, I recognized things.
He cleared his throat. “If you don’t want to stay in here, you don’t have to.”
“It’s fine.”
I answered so quickly, it took us both by surprise. I played with the hem of the shirt that was too big for me.
“You are not fine, Alexandria.” Avalon pulled the covers back and sat himself down on the mattress. He held his hand out, waiting.
My mind raced. Thoughts and images of us tangled together haunted me. I licked my bottom lip and tried to focus on the present. Avalon was here for me. He was with me. He understood.
I took his hand and slipped under the cool, silken sheets. My heart wouldn’t calm down. We weren’t going to do anything. I stared down at our hands linked together.
“Alexandria, it’s going to be fine. I promise. Hey”—he turned my face toward him—“I do not take what isn’t mine.”
I held my breath.
I swallowed hard.
Nodding, I found myself captive under his clouded gaze. We were close, so close. It would be so easy for him just to take advantage. I was weak. I was vulnerable.
Avalon pulled me to his chest, wrapping his arms around me after turning off the light on his bedside table. He sighed, situating himself back on the pillows.
“Now, we can talk, or we can just sleep. You don’t have to do either. I’m just letting you know you have an option.”
I dared to venture to lay my head on his chest. Something about his heartbeat seemed to ease my nerves. His steady breathing helped mine to slow, and I felt fingers carding through my hair.
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
“I’ve always been kind to you.”
I didn’t mean to snort, but I couldn’t help it. I felt him give a few locks of hair a soft tug. I knew he wasn’t mad. That seductive, smirk curled his lips upward.
“I have always meant to be good to you. Is that better?” He raised his eyebrows for emphasis.
“Yes. But why?”
“Do you truly wish to know?” His voice lowered to a soft tone.
“I think so.”
“Because you were different from all the previous versions of you. So different. Even as a child, I felt it in my soul.” There was such conviction in his voice I couldn’t deny him.
“And now? What do you think now?” Afraid to hear the answer, I closed my eyes.
“Now ...” He paused, and I felt the touch of his fingers against my cheek. “Now you are the most precious thing in my life. I don’t care what you chose or who, so long as you are safe and loved. If I must be all of those things, then so be it.”
Tears of a different sort trickled down my cheeks. Avalon caught them, holding me close. I had misjudged this man. Dragons protected their treasure even if it meant dying for it. I was Avalon’s treasure, and I sought the solace his wings granted me.
Twelve
Avalon
The sheer fabric was the only protection from the sun’s rays gently prodding me awake. When I had first opened my eyes, I thought I had another spell. I felt her small, warm body pressed against mine, and the joy that spread through my chest rushed to curl my lips into a smile. Alexandria had come to me. I was able to be there for her. I could ease her pain, and in doing so, she had eased mine.
I moved carefully, not wanting to wake her. I just wanted to see her. My heart lost another piece of its well-worn armor. She was so beautiful. This woman in my bed could have been an angel.
Pale skin glowed in the light, extenuating perfect pink tiers. Her hair fell around her face in wild disarray. The fear I had seen in her face last night was gone. Sleep protected her from reality. Brushing my fingers along her jawline, I felt warmth spread through my chest.
Eyelashes fluttered, and Alexandria squinted through sleep-ridden pools. She didn’t say anything, just blinked and stared at me as though I were a dream. I chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Good morning. How did you sleep?”
A gentle smile appeared on her lips. “Like a rock. You?”
“Quite the same.”
She sat up, running a hand through her freed hair. “It never stays up ...” she muttered.
“I like it down, gives you a wild look.”
“You just think it’s sexy.” Her quip caught me off guard. She seemed to realize what she had said a few moments too late.
“Perhaps, I do.” I chose to tease her and was rewarded with the flush of her cheeks under my hooded gaze.
We both sat there, unable to grasp what exactly had transpired. All I knew was that she trusted me. When all else failed, she ran to me.
“I have my bag in the car ...” Alexandria seemed shy all of a sudden. “I should go get it and get changed.”
“No need. M brought it to your room last night.”
Alexandria pulled at the covers, nodding. I reached over and placed my hand over her trembling ones. When she looked at me, I saw the confusion clear in her eyes. The uncertainty of what we would become had replaced the fear.
“You should go get changed and then meet me in the parlor. I have something I wish to share with you. So does Vivian.”
“Are you ever going to explain why you acted so strange in the dream?”
Opening my mouth to speak, I paused. What could I say?
The truth. Tell her the truth.
“I can’t come to you at night anymore ...”
The crestfallen look on her face sent spikes through my chest.
“W-why not?”
“It’s for your protection. I will explain it all to you in a few moments. I need you to collect yourself, and we can chat over breakfast.” I squeezed her hand. “I promise you, Alexandria, no more secrets.”
“Promise?” Her tiny fingers curled around my larger palm. I ached for her; my body begged for her, and so did he. I could feel him lingering just behind my eyes, watching her every move while calculating his next one.
“I promise.” I raised her hand to my lips and kissed smooth skin. I peered up at her while I did so. A small flutter of victory went off low in my stomach. She wanted me back. I could sense it; I could feel it.
I let her go without saying anything else. I flopped myself back onto the pillow, scrubbing my face. My left hand felt naked without the presence of the ring. I refused to wear it. I wouldn’t give him the chance to take something so precious away from me.
When I made it to the parlor, a spread of breakfast was waiting. I couldn’t ignore my stomach as I helped myself. Vivian was already sitting primly on a lounge chair, sipping tea from a china blue teacup.
“How is the girl?”
I rolled my eyes, turning to Vivian. A piece of toast hung from my mouth since my hands were full. The woman just smiled and waited until I could answer her. I sat adjacent from her and situated myself.
“I think she’s finally realized that nothing in her life is what it seems. Reality is a cruel thing.” I played with my spoon, circling the utensil in the dark liquid. “She understands now.”
Vivian gave a sad smile. “We must keep hope that things will finally work out in our favor.”
There was a commotion in the hall, and I turned. Standing in the doorway, I saw forest green eyes bore into my gray ones. I rose to meet him. I could feel the hatred and loathing rolling off him like steam.
“Lancer.” I greeted him coolly.
“You know I want to be as far away from here as possible. I want nothing to do with you.” He stormed in, snapping with aggression. I didn’t flinch.
“Of course not. We are tied up in a ménage a trois ...” I couldn’t help myself. He just rubbed me absolutely raw.
“Fuck off, Avalon.” Lancer closed t
he distance between us. “Everything would have worked out if you hadn’t gotten involved. None of this would have happened.”
I let him blow his hot air. Fists curled into my palms, allowing my blunt nails to bite at my skin. This boy was wearing me thin. I had no patience for self-righteousness any longer. Especially after the state he put Alexandria in last night. I snapped.
“Listen here, boy.” I spoke through gritted teeth. “You would have never crossed paths with Alexandria again unless it was through me. You were done with her. You were ashamed of what you did to her.” I sneered, shaking my head. “You weren’t man enough to have her. Advice or not, you should have followed your heart. Lancer, you knew that. And now, she’s back in your life. Now, she radiates as brilliant as the sun, and you’re eclipsed by her. Guess what?” I stepped up to him. “So am I.”
Testosterone lit the room in a musky haze. Vivian sat back in amusement while M hovered around the edges of my vision.
“You are ruining my life, Avalon. I wish you would have left me in a foster home.”
An invisible hand slapped me across the face, and with it, air rushed out of my lungs.
I read this boy stories before bed.
I fed him.
I put him in the best schools.
I taught him to ride, joust, swordplay, everything.
I cared for him like a brother.
He was family to me.
Swallowing the vile words that threatened to bubble over, I eased back. “I see now.”
The flashes of regret were brief in Lancer’s eyes. I heard the aggravated sigh slip from his lips. “I said some things to Allie last night ... and I shouldn’t have. She needs me the most right now, and I haven’t been there. I was young when you told me, and I had no family. But she ...” He chewed his bottom lip mulling over his thoughts.
My gaze landed on the figure standing in the doorway, gaping at Lancer. A mixed look of longing and anger etched on her face. She was freshly showered, and her long hair fell in wet waves.
“Ahh, dressed and up, I see.” I broke away from Lancer and stepped toward Alexandria. The tension grew tenfold.
“Allie, I didn’t expect you here. I ...”
“You wouldn’t have come had you known?” She snapped from the daze she appeared to be in and became quite sharp. Alexandria helped herself to the breakfast spread before her, strolling by us both.
I decided to take my seat and let this play out without any involvement. This was between them. I’d had my small victory.
“May we speak about last night?” He walked over behind Alexandria, placing his hand on her shoulder. My body reacted, and I wanted to slap his hand away, but in shock—Alexandria did that for me.
“Please, Lancer, you wanted to keep your distance. So don’t act like you want to be close now.”
“I wanted to just apologize ... I don’t want to keep any distance between us.”
The fool didn’t listen. I narrowed my eyes as he gripped her shoulders to spin her so she had to look at him. I stayed still.
“I love you, Alexandria, and you are right. I’ve been so unfair to you through this whole ordeal. I want to stand beside you at the end. I want you forever. So I’ll wait. I’ll allow you to do whatever you need to do until this curse is broken and then come back to me.” He caressed her cheek.
“Lancer, you don’t understand.” My heart began to sink as her resolve weakened under his touch.
“Oh, but I do, Allie. I so do.” Lancer leaned down to kiss her, to take advantage of her lapse. Eyes went wide, and I stood in my chair.
“Now is not the time.” She turned her head at the last moment. “I need time now, Lancer. For a lot of things.”
Alexandria moved to sit on the horsehair sofa across from me.
“Right ...” Lancer’s jaw flexed at her rejection. Frankly, I was stunned. She shot me a quick glance before taking a sip of her tea. While her face was set in a serious expression, her eyes were soft.
I let out the breath I had been holding. She was changing. She was stronger.
I flashed her a small smile in return, thanking her for not putting me through watching her kiss Lancer again. Once at their reunion was enough to boil my blood and break my heart.
“I’m ready to learn all I can about what we have to do in order to move forward.” Alexandria quickly became all business. She eyed Vivian as she sipped her tea. “I want to know everything. I want to break this curse.”
“Are you most certain?” The blond woman glanced over at me, and I nodded.
“We have no other option. My time is limited now, and I do not wish for any harm to come to either Lancer or Alexandria should I fall victim to my state.”
With a deep inhale, the woman across from me straightened her shoulders and raised her chin. “Where do I start?”
Thirteen
Alexandria
I put up my best front. I wouldn’t give into the fear that gripped my heart as Vivian sat straighter in the lounger. Lancer had pulled up a seat next to Avalon. Our eyes met, and I could see him desperately trying to apologize. Now wasn’t the time. Now, I had to find out what I had to do.
Avalon’s self-admission that his time was running short made my stomach churn. My heart dropped the few inches and swam in the acid that threatened to build in my throat. I wouldn’t accept that option. There was no way in hell Avalon wouldn’t make it.
“Avalon’s ailment can be explained in one very simple way.” Vivian centered herself and began speaking slowly in an even cadence. “When King Arthur was struck down, two things happened. One, his half-sister Morgan aided me on his boat to Avalon. In allowing her to do so, she was supposed to help me on my mission to revive him. However”—she stole a look over at M—“that wasn’t to be as simple as I thought.”
“How so?” The story Vivian was weaving was beginning to entrap me.
“Morgan was working for the man who dealt Arthur the killing blow.” The woman’s blue eyes seemed to swirl. “I was transferring Arthur’s soul to that of a new body—the man you see now.”
I found myself looking Avalon over and wondering how much of a difference his old body was to this one. An eyebrow of his quirked and he shook his head. He dropped his eyes to avoid mine as I felt heat creep up my neck.
“Did she do something to interrupt that process?” I tried to direct my attention back to Vivian. This information was vital.
“Yes. Toward the end, I was growing weaker and weaker. I knew it would take a toll on me, and I had sent for M to be released. I knew when Arthur woke up his rehabilitation would be extensive for body, soul, and mind.”
“Wait ... why was M to be released?” I turned to the kindly figure standing behind Avalon.
“Vivian graciously locked me away.” Sea green eyes shot to flicker over the woman. “I was a threat to her at one point. I just don’t know if that was before or after I became lover status.”
Vivian reared back to glare at him. “Merlin, now is not the time!”
I jumped when the usually calm woman went from sitting to standing. Now, she was heated, flashes of anger peppering over M.
M. Merlin ... my hand shot over my mouth. “You’re Merlin!” I couldn’t help my eyes widening.
“At your service, my Lady.” He bowed gracefully toward me. The smirk on his face wasn’t lost on me.
“Vivian.” Avalon put a hand on the Priestess’s arm. “Shall we continue?”
“Yes. Please excuse me.” Her hands smoothed over the front of her skirt. She stuck her chin out and sat back down. “Just went I was about to transfer the last of his soul, Morgan struck. She is gifted in the dark arts.” She shot another glare at M. “One she learned from her teacher over there.”
“I wouldn’t ever condone it for the use on His Grace.” M’s voice held a warning to it.
“Regardless, she did, and she stole a part of his soul. She brought it back to the man who is the reason for all of this. She captured that piece of Arthur in a sword
.”
“Who is this man?” My eyes narrowed, and the room began to spin. A small voice in the back of my head reminded me of the unease I had felt at my art show. It was my turn to stand from my seat.
It was all making sense.
How had I been so thick?
M was Merlin.
Vivian Lake was the fabled Lady of the Lake.
I was Guinevere, Avalon Arthur, and Lancer Lancelot.
Morgan had boldly kept her name.
That could only mean one thing.
“No ... it can’t be.”
Avalon rose with me. “Shh, Alexandria.” His cloudy skies searched my face. “You know who he is, don’t you? You can sense him.”
My mouth grew dry, and my throat refused to swallow. Elaine was working for him right now. Elaine trusted him for so long now.
“It’s Thomas Mordred, isn’t it? It’s him.” My palms clammed and terror shot through my veins. “Morgan works for him; Elaine is commissioning for him right now.”
My best friend was working for the man who wanted Avalon dead. I had touched him.
Vivian nodded. “Yes, Mordred. He wasn’t just Arthur’s knight. He took the queen and declared himself as King of England.”
The world stopped spinning for just a split second. A strange tingling sensation flooded my body, and I was seeing a life that wasn’t my own.
Memories that weren’t mine flew in front of me in a blur. A woman was screaming—no, I was screaming. I was screaming as a man dragged me through the halls of a dark castle. He was telling me things. Horrible things.
I was tossed on the floor, my tiara skittering to rest against the cold flagstone. I watched Mordred grab me and hold me down. I felt his rough hands on my skin. I heard Arthur’s name fall from my lips. I screamed for Lancelot to save me, but they were too far away.
Why were they far away?
Why didn’t they come for me?
“Alexandria. Alexandria!”
I blinked.
Tears I didn’t know I had shed streaked my face. Avalon was shaking me gently, calling me back to the present.
“There you are ...” He cupped my face in his hands. “What did you see?”
The Duke's Curse (Legend Book 2) Page 10