“I think I am beginning to follow you.” I nodded. Frantically, I shuffled through the papers. “If Dr. York knew about his own daughter’s involvement, he would have made something that could protect her.”
My heart would know what I was looking for when I came upon it. I just had to find it!
“That is exactly why I warned William of Alexandria’s fate.” Avalon began to search with me. We exchanged a grin over the mess on the table. “So he could hold the ace above Mordred’s head in life and after his death.”
Alexandria took a tentative step toward us, scanning the table. “So my dad made something for Mordred, but secretly programmed it to fight against him?”
“Exactly.” I flipped through a notebook excitedly. “Whatever he implanted into Lancer was of his own design, but Diana—making her an A.I.—Mordred wanted an omniscient being.”
Avalon’s hands flew through a small box containing slides before coming back to the journal with Diana’s portrait. I narrowed my eyes on the pendant I gave her, still intact after all these years. My fingers itched to touch the last part of Diana I had.
“Something that concerns me is that John had a female interest who went missing about five years ago.” I rubbed the cold metal between my fingers, relishing the reunion. “I fear Mordred may have needed a new host to house the soul.”
“Do you think he is trying to rebuild her?” Vivian asked her voice soft.
I glanced toward Merlin, and he nodded. “It is likely he has noticed her ability to think and feel for herself.” Merlin sighed. “We must lock all these notes away. I’m sure somewhere in all the algorithms and formulas is the key we need.”
“I’ve already found it,” Avalon said, sounding more defeated then he should. His eyes were tight as he handed me the portfolio. “Mordred is trying to make his own version of the Holy Grail.”
Avalon and I stared at each other as he continued. “I believe Mordred is operating under some sort of contract. In order to get whatever he was promised, he has to use us to get there. We are all a symbol on a map leading to Mordred’s victory or failure.”
I took the black book from Avalon and opened it, reading through it slowly. “Oh, Holy Jesus …”
In order to save his daughter, William created Diana into an A.I. but not just any A.I. She could be disarmed, but the only person able to do this was the Grail Seeker. I swallowed hard and looked up, my eyes meeting everyone’s gazes one by one.
“It seems I have another quest.”
EIGHTEEN
Alexandria
My eyes wandered over the fabric draped over the bed. Deep blue and gold swirled together in filigree patterns disappearing into each of the four banisters on the bed. A lighter fabric colored in hunter green fell in large waves waiting to be drawn to keep out the night.
Avalon slid beneath the sheets to join me. I pulled my gaze from above and glanced over at him with a smile.
The warmth in his gaze sent electric sparks flying over my skin. His jet-black hair had grown back out a bit and fell over his brow. Gray eyes focused on me, and the emerald splash brightened in the dim light. He looked utterly dangerous and so very delicious.
“What is on your mind, love?” Avalon reached his arm out for me to cuddle on his chest. I did so without hesitation, inhaling the scent of his skin. He smelled of woods and cinnamon with a hint of musk. He ran his fingertips over my arm absently as he waited for my answer.
I shrugged. “I can’t believe my father worked for a man like Mordred. It makes me wonder if he knew the work he was doing would be used for a horrible reason.”
Avalon pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I can assure you that your father was no monster. He already had questions concerning the ethics of creating Ren from Diana’s image.”
“Mordred didn’t just use her DNA … He is keeping her soul locked away.” With a shake of my head, I sighed. “I feel so bad for John. I didn’t think he would be married since he’s a priest.”
Avalon chuckled. “He was a Godly man but no doubt still a man.”
Propping myself up on my elbows, I looked Avalon in the eye. “At the festival tomorrow, we are going to face both Lancer and Mordred.” I bit my lip, unsure of how to word my question.
“You are wondering how we are to act?” Avalon turned to his side, a soft smile on his lips. “Just be natural. No one in the outside world must know our trials.”
I nodded but another thought occurred. “It’s not just about us, is it?”
Sadness flickered across Avalon’s handsome features, and he shook his head. “No, the more we learn, the more we can see Mordred has something planned far greater than just ruining our life.”
I still didn’t understand why, after all this time, Mordred still found it necessary to torture his own father.
After hundreds, and even a thousand years, one would think that a truce could be found. Or was Avalon right, and Morgan desired something more sinister?
If so … why would he need all of us to remain cursed for so long?
Why had he not pulled the trigger on his master plan?
“Come, Alexandria …” Avalon tucked me back into his chest. His legs threaded with mine, locking me in place. “No more thoughts of what we cannot control.”
My heart skipped as warm hands slid up my nightshirt. “Oh? And what should I think about?”
The wolfish grin made me shiver as he gathered me in his arms and pinned me against the mattress. His lips whispered over mine. “Me making love to you.”
I giggled, unable to deny his insatiable appetite.
“I don’t even know why you wear clothes to bed anymore,” he grumbled as he fumbled to pull my nightshirt over my head.
Lying back against the pillows, I smirked. “Just to watch you work.” I let my fingers stroke his well-defined chest and down his stomach.
“Undressing you is far from work.” His mouth captured mine, and my body arched off the bed. I spread my legs, and Avalon easily slotted himself between them. We fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.
Everything about this man set me on fire. His touch, his kiss, the way he looked at me. Sometimes, it was too much for me to comprehend.
Avalon moved the hair away from my face and traced my cheek. “You are my greatest adventure.”
My eyes misted, but I snorted. “Did you get that off a greeting card?”
“No, but I suppose it would work for a cheesy pickup line.” Whenever he smiled, he seemed years younger. Less duke and more man. Less myth and more human.
He seemed to realize my thoughts had drifted. With a slow thrust, Avalon brought me back to the present.
“Stay with me, Alexandria.” His tongue licked along my bottom lip before delving into my mouth.
Avalon moved with a grace and tenderness I never felt from him before. Each hard yet slowly timed thrust drew me closer to the edge. My hands roamed over his chest, along his arms, and down his back.
He never stopped kissing me.
I realized why.
Our days were numbered.
Our fates were crashing down around us like a tsunami.
Our love measured by the universe.
Would it be enough to win?
Would it last the test of time?
We came together as tears fell silently down my cheeks.
“I swear, no matter what happens, I will protect you,”Avalon whispered into my ear, his voice tight with emotion. “I love you beyond words.”
All I could do was nod as he pulled back. A single tear fell onto my face. “I love you beyond life.”
NINETEEN
Avalon
The autumn breeze cut through my armor and allowed a moment of relief from the bright sun. Merlin stood next to me as I waited my turn to practice on the tilt yard. People were starting to flood the venue for the festival. Children stared wide-eyed at the knights on horseback clad in chainmail and armor.
My helmet rested on my thigh; the large Friesian gelding I
sat upon relaxing his back leg. I kept a sharp eye out for Mordred and Lancer. They were both scheduled to be a part of the charity joust. It would be an interesting year indeed.
“John just texted, sir.” Merlin pulled my attention from my thoughts. “They will be here momentarily.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.” A fellow rider waved his hand at me, signaling it was my turn. After waving back and placing my helmet on, I trotted over to one end of the tilt. A fellow rider handed me the joust, and I noted how light it was.
What we fought with today made me laugh. Light and easy for breaking away, the jousts were nothing like the heavy, splintering hunks of wood we used for sport. I nodded my thanks and set my sights on the rider across from me.
Merlin lifted his hand to signal us to ready, and as it dropped, we both spurred our mounts into a gallop.
This young man had no chance of striking me. My joust hit directly into his chest plate and snapped with a groan.
One lance for me.
Grinning, I slowed my horse to a trot and rounded back to shake hands with my opponent.
“Good go, eh?” I lifted the visor of my helmet up.
The man’s gray horse jigged in place, but he managed to take his helmet fully off.
“Very good.” His red hair curled around his forehead damp from the weight of the armor. “But then, I expect it from you, Your Majesty.”
Immediately, my guard went up.
My eyes narrowed. “Might I inquire into your meaning, sir?”
The stranger’s green eyes snapped with mischief.
I knew this person.
“Isaac Swayne, my lord.” He reached out his hand. “But I once went by Sir Gwaine.”
By this time, Merlin had taken hold of my mount’s bridal, and his own curious study of the newcomer began.
“Gwaine …” My eyes widened, and I flung my leg over the saddle. “Get down here!” I practically yanked him off his horse, and the two of us embraced. “How the bloody hell are you here?”
Gwaine’s smile grew wider, and he gave a tap on my helmet. “The Lady of the Lake, Vivian, came and did some hocus pocus shit and poof... I remembered everything.” His Scottish accent rolled heavily in his throat. His gaze grew serious. “She said things were happening.”
I pursed my lips and nodded. “A lot of things are happening.”
Merlin handed my horse off to a stable hand and motioned for the three of us to move into the shade. “Perhaps we should get you boys out of the armor and cooled down before this afternoon’s event.”
“Good idea.” I slapped Merlin on the back and squinted into the distance. The sunlight was brutal for autumn.
Shielding my forehead with my hand, I looked harder.
There on the horizon stood Alexandria with Vivian and John. All three were dressed in period clothing to enjoy the cooler weather and festival.
As they drew closer, I inhaled sharply.
Alexandria wore a baby blue Tudor-style gown. Obviously, Vivian had some say about the costume because the corset had hints of modern in its cut. The light blue corset pressed Alexandria’s already tiny frame to accentuate her curves. The skirt flowed lightly around her feet.
Two braided pieces were tied back on either side of her head to flow into the rest of her hair. The breeze blew her long tresses across her face, and my heart stopped.
Gwaine came to stand beside me and whistled. “Is that her?”
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. “That’s her.”
Merlin continued taking off my armor piece by piece. The silver metal had the Welsh dragon engraved in gold on the front. The people coming to see this event would assume each knight played a character from myth and legend. Little did they know, I was the real deal.
The crisp air traveled through the loose fitted shirt I wore. It was made of simple cotton with a v-cut down to the middle of my chest. Black breeches hugged my waist and thighs to protect from the heavy armor I wore and the knee-high riding boots.
My hair ruffled in the wind, and I silently thanked Mother Nature. Lord knew how hot all of us men would be by the time the sun rose high in the sky this afternoon. I’d be sweating like a dog.
Alexandria walked ahead of Vivian and John. A slight flush dusted over her cheeks when she saw me. I reached my hand out to her, captivated by how gorgeous she looked in this period piece.
“Your Grace.” She didn’t hesitate and took my hand, lowering slightly before me. We had spoken about protocol this morning, about how she should address me. Since we would be in the public eye, we didn’t want the press hounding us over our relationship.
“My Lady.” I kissed her hand and then drew her in close. “You look stunning.”
Her eyes sparkled like blue diamonds, and her smirk sent my thoughts to a dirty place. “As do you. Those breeches suit you well, Arthur,” Alexandria whispered in my ear, her lips grazing over my flesh.
I shivered, desperately wanting to drag her off into the woods beyond and take her in this dress. “Careful, love. Remember what we spoke about.”
John cleared his throat.
We both turned to look at him. John’s expression was amused, but he continued to stare until we put a bit of space between the two of us.
“Yes, Father,” Alexandria teased.
John gave her an impish wink. “You can confess later.”
Vivian had already begun speaking to Gwaine. The priestess wore a pale pink dress, but it was more medieval in its A-line cut. She looked like a Greek Goddess with her blond hair falling down her back in ringlets.
“Alexandria, there is someone I would like you to meet.” I motioned toward Gwaine. “This is Isaac Swayne, or in his previous life, Sir Gwaine.”
Gwaine gave a flourished bow. “My Queen.”
Alexandria seemed taken aback for a moment only to regain her composure quickly. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Gwaine. I trust you were sought out by Vivian?”
The young man ran a hand through russet curls. “Aye, I was. It’s a good thing too. She filled me in on the goings-on.” His expression turned solemn. “We’ll fight the good fight just as we always do.”
“I am happy to hear that.” Alexandria rested her hand on my forearm.
Grinning down at her, I tucked her arm into mine and glanced at Merlin. “Merlin, do you think I have a moment to walk through the festival with my lady?”
Merlin glanced back and forth between Alexandria and me, pondering something before giving a tight smile. “Of course. Just be back by one. We have to put you back into that armor and warm up Tiger here.” He patted the horse’s neck affectionately.
“No worries.” I gave a gentle tug on Alexandria’s arm. “Let’s escape while we can.”
Her giggles were infectious, and we set off from the tilt yard and toward the many tents and small temporary buildings. For being midmorning, the festival bustled with activity. Artisans selling their wares lined the dirt paths, the smell of turkey and meats filled the air, and actors hollered back and forth to each other.
Nearly everyone dressed in a variety of clothing from Tudor to Medieval to Renaissance. A blacksmith’s forge smoked next to us.
Alexandria paused to watch the skilled man hammer the steel into a blade. I, however, watched her.
At this moment, we were catapulted back in time. She turned to gaze up at me, and I noticed she thought the same thing I did.
“Come, I have just the place for you.” I wrapped an arm around her and led her on.
We stepped around children laughing and groups of people talking along the way. I paused for a moment to let a mother with a trolley of kids go by. Our destination lingered right in front of us.
The woman dressed in gypsy garb recognized me straight away. Her weathered cheeks crinkled up in a smile. “Your Grace, how may I be of service to you and yours today?”
“I am looking for your finest circlet.” I motioned Alexandria forward. “Go ahead and pick one.”
Her
mouth just hung open in shock. The multitude of silver and gold jewelry with precious stones tinkled softly together in the breeze. Rings lay on beds of velvet while tiaras and circlets lined cotton laid boxes.
The woman held up her finger and leaned down to bring out a mahogany box. “Then your lady will want this.” Old hands unlocked the hinge at the front of the box and opened the top to reveal a delicate silver tiara.
Sapphire and opal chips decorated the intricate weaving of the tiara into Celtic knots.
“Your Grace, I couldn’t.” Alexandria marveled at the precious stones.
“Oh, but you will.” I handed the shop woman a wad of notes with a wink. I’d had Merlin call her and ask to bring the tiara for Alexandria.
Her face grew bright red, but she didn’t protest any further.
Taking the tiara circlet out of the protective velvet, I placed it gently on her head.
Perfect fit.
The opals and sapphires sparkled off one another and matched Alexandria’s blue eyes and the fabric in her dress.
“Fit for a queen,” I murmured, stroking the backs of my knuckles over her cheek.
She couldn’t suppress her smile or her gratitude. Alexandria threw her arms around my neck. People turned their heads; some recognized me, but most didn’t.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You are most welcome.” I rested my hands on her hips and gave a squeeze. “I’m starving. Let’s see what they have around here to eat.”
Alexandria seemed content to follow my lead. “I saw giant turkey legs and ale.”
Chuckling, I took her hand and walked through the crowds. “Then let us dine as heathens.”
After I had ordered the largest turkey legs I had ever seen with chips, Alexandria rushed to the beer stand. She came back with two beers and a bottle of water.
I lifted a brow quizzically at her.
“If you are going to joust in the afternoon sun, water is essential.” She placed the water in front of me.
She had a point.
Our walk back was lazy as we strolled along. The volume of people had doubled since this morning, and I glanced at my wrist for the time. “I need to get back. M will have a fit if I don’t appear to sign all the paperwork before warming up my horse.”
Resurrection: A Historical Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 3) Page 12