Arthur strutted to the table, settling his hands across the surface as he strode around in a circle. "This is the same Round Table that belonged to my father?"
"Yes." My father's eyes glistened as he watched Arthur's reaction.
“And the requirement is one hundred and forty-forty loyal knights?”
My father nodded again while Arthur’s mind clicked with his own calculations.
“I possess one hundred and forty-one such knights now. I shall seek three more of the bravest and most honorable of men!”
Father nodded, knocking loose a strand of his gray hair. It sprang over his face, like a slash from a sword.
"I could not have received a more valuable gift, King Leodegrance, or shall I say, Father?"
“The hope of all Britons resides with you now, Son.”
Arthur reached out and grabbed my father, pulling him into an embrace. Father returned his enthusiasm by hugging him back; his affections for Arthur bore no resemblance to his regard for me—none of the detachments that characterized our relationship existed between the two men. I also noted that the Round Table had trumped my value as far as "gifts" went.
Arthur pulled away and turned on his heel. "Now, I must be off to start this quest for worthy knights. Guinevere, fetch your belongings. We take leave at once."
"No!" I don't know what demon possessed my tongue, but every bit of me refused him and, regardless of Elibel's warning to act like a queen, my emotions got the better of me.
"No?" Arthur turned; a fascinated grin crossed his lips.
"I cannot."
He strode toward me, and despite our audience, settled his hands on each side of my waist. A shock wave of his energy shot up my sides as his blue eyes sparked with amusement. He looked like an all-powerful god smiling down upon me. I swallowed hard, trying to retain my wits. This is why no one refused Arthur.
"Do you plan to conduct our marriage from a different residence?”
I shook my head.
“Good, because that would be a cold arrangement, Guinevere, and I have warmer plans in mind for my bride." He squeezed me for emphasis.
His intimate insinuation formed a knot in my throat, rendering me speechless.
"We will plan the marriage ceremony upon our arrival in Camelot. The Bishop of Canterbury has already been summoned, and I have much business to attend to with the ordination of new knights for your father's generous gift."
"But I must have time to…"
"To what?"
My mind whirled. Leaving Camelaird, the only home I had ever known, sent me into a panic. Or perhaps it was the unknown of Arthur, Camelot and my impending Queenship that prompted me to want to stay in the safety of Camelaird. Though I had accepted my duty to my crown when I had agreed to marry Arthur, a part of me still fought that responsibility, which hinged on my ability to like, and perhaps even love Arthur. Or as my father had stated, at the minimum, to honor him. Leaving my home signified my total commitment to the challenges ahead. I wanted to buy time. "To say a proper good-bye and collect my belongings. And Aethelwine—"
"How much time do you require?" Arthur pulled me tighter, and my skin jumped.
I stared helplessly. For the first time I could remember, Elibel had not come to my aid. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. She stood as stiff as a marble column, no inkling of her intervention at hand.
Father cleared his throat as if to speak, when Arthur cut in, "Of course you are right. I forget how women can be with their emotional attachments. You may have two days leave. I will ride ahead and prepare, and you may come after."
An unpleasant rebuttal broke past the knot in my throat, but my father jerked his head in my direction, so I said, “Thank you," instead.
When the phrase did not appease Father's furrowing brow, I mumbled "My Lord." Though the words seemed distasteful in my mouth after Arthur had left out any title when he addressed me, they won my father's approving nod.
"Sir Lancelot," said Arthur still holding me in his grip, "you will stay behind until the lady is ready. I entrust you to escort my bride back to Camelot."
Lancelot as my escort? My heart started to thud against my ribs.
"But Sir Lancelot—" Elibel cut herself off in mid-sentence. All eyes turned to my cousin; she seemed uncertain of how to proceed. She glanced toward me, then toward Lancelot.
My pulse quickened until I felt the thunder of blood in my throat. Would Elibel betray me and announce my passion for the knight, here, in front of everyone?
"If I may be so bold, My Lord, Sir Lancelot is not the best choice for said task."
Arthur's bright eyes sparked. "And why is that? Lady Elibel, is it?"
Elibel smiled at his recognition of her name; her face lit. His use of a title before my cousin's name and neglect of the same usage before mine did not escape my notice. I tried to capture Elibel's attention and send her a plea for discretion, but she avoided my attempts and continued.
"Sir Lancelot is your most capable knight. He should remain by your side should you run into marauders."
I had not realized I had been holding my breath, but the air rushed from my lungs—my cousin would not expose me after all.
"Yes, he is," replied Arthur. "This is why he must escort my bride. I would only entrust her safety to the most capable of men."
Elibel curtsied, conceding the point—all of her emotions hidden behind her well controlled façade.
My face, however, seemed an open book as my gaze flicked over Arthur's shoulder, toward Lancelot. A craving to be held in the knight's arms instead of Arthur's besieged my senses. And in that moment, Lancelot's deep eyes caught my own, and I could have sworn he experienced the same mix of longing and fear for our upcoming journey that I did.
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Credits
Copy Editing
Ann Mauren, AMDesign Studios
Cover Design
AMDesign Studios
Acknowledgements
Of course any book requires a team of readers, editors, critique partners, supporters and more. Thank you so much: Lance Matthews, May Hancock, Kathia Donalds, Ann Mauren and Mary Endersbe. I am forever in your debt.
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Table of Contents
Dedication
A Note
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Continuance
Queen’s Honor Continues In Quest
Quest, Chapter 1
Quest, Chapter 2
Credits
Acknowledgements
Connect with the Author
Betrothal Page 7