“Take one more stab at Lancer or me, and your true love dies.” He spit venom.
Immediately, I froze.
The sight of a blade so close to Alexandria’s pulsating life force sent chills up my spine. I had been at this moment time and time again. I knew the distractions, the acts of this sick and twisted play.
How had I misjudged this time so badly?
“Arthur …” she whimpered.
“No, let her go.” I dropped my sword to my side. “I’m here now. Leave her out of this.”
Mordred smirked. “Don’t you understand, Arthur?” He lifted her chin higher by his grip on her hair. “It’s her I need, not you. You are just a pathetic bystander.”
Lancer stumbled back to Mordred’s side, and his armor vanished, leaving him dressed in normal clothes. I didn’t retract my only line of defense just yet.
“What?” The hilt of the sword shook with my rage. “You don’t need her. Let her go.”
His lips curled up, and a row of brilliant white teeth gnashed. “I never tire at the look of shock and horror on your face.” Mordred glanced at Merlin and John at my side, ready to fight. “If your magical dogs so much as spark a flame, the girl is dead.”
Merlin audibly growled next to me as John scoffed.
My arm extended to hold them back. “What must I do?”
Mordred rolled his eyes dramatically. “Why do you always ask me this when you know the answer?”
“Let me go!” Alexandria struggled against Mordred’s grasp, and he snarled.
“Alexandria, please do not fight,” I called out to her, panicked as the blade pressed against her delicate throat.
“This will all go how I want, Arthur.” Mordred motioned for Tristan to come nearer. “First, return to your normal form.”
I darted a glance at Vivian, who nodded as her hand held fast to her chest in horror.
Sneering, I did as Mordred asked. “Now what?” I held out my hands.
“Now.” Mordred took too much pleasure in his own personal brand of torture. “You have two choices, Arthur.”
“No …” Merlin began to speak, but I laid a hand on his shoulder.
My eyes closed, and I tried to ready myself for what this devil would ask of me. “And those are?”
“Do you remember a beautiful woman who made you almost as happy as this little fighter here?” His sinister laughter cut across the cold ballroom. “Christine, I believe was her name?”
The floor disappeared beneath my feet, and the memories came flooding back.
Her voice brought me out from the surrounding chaos threatening to drown me. I broke my stare away from the storm outside and allowed myself to look at her one last time.
“Arthur, you must promise me.” She reached for my hands. “Promise me that one day you will find a way to end this, to free yourself.”
Her tears broke my heart.
I knelt in front of her. “I swear, Christine.” I brushed the raven hair away from her face. “I promise you.”
She hiccupped. “God, forgive me for making you do this. But you must. I am weak, and I cannot withstand all that you need me to do.”
I blinked back the tears desperately trying to break through. “I understand.”
Christine looked at Merlin, my trusted butler and head of house. He offered her a small smile before glancing out the window again.
“I love you.” She bit her lip. “I love you so much that I must leave you.” She nodded to Merlin while he silently watched the rain pelt the window. “You, too, Merlin, promise me.”
“Of course, my lady.” The kindly man nodded. I could tell he was as devastated by this course of events as I was. He blinked back tears of his own.
“Christine, I love you.” I kissed her hands and then drew her in. Our lips danced one final time.
Why does it end like this?
Why does it always have to end?
As we broke apart, Christine smiled bravely at me. “One day, you shall have your greatest desire, and we will be victorious.” Her hand caressed my cheek. “But that woman is not me.”
“How can I live without you, my love?” I finally broke. Tears cascaded down my face. Fear of being alone gripped me once again like an iron vise.
“Hush, my love.” Christine held me close as I collapsed in her lap. “You will know her; she will be like no other. Your heart will tell you, and only then can the curse be lifted.”
“And you?” I looked up into eyes green as a spring meadow. “What will become of you?”
Christine smiled at me through her sorrow. “I shall live as you always wanted me to live. I will be free of harm, free of our enemy.” Her voice lowered as she kissed me again. “Free to come back to you.”
“It is time, sir,” Merlin said cautiously from behind us. His voice was tight, wavering.
With a nod, I held her hands as I sat in front of her. Merlin positioned himself behind her chair, placing his hands gently on her head. Christine took a few deep breaths and let out a shaky sigh.
“Let us do this.” Her gaze flickered to mine. “I will always find you, Arthur. My king and love.”
I choked back a sob as she continued to stare at me while Merlin chanted, erasing one memory from her at a time. It was what he ordered. If Christine was to live, she had to live without me. Thomas could rot in hell for all I cared, and I would send him there myself.
But for now, I spent my last moments with the one woman I thought could end my suffering. The light from her eyes faded, her breathing growing more labored.
“I swear to you, I shall be with you again, and I will be victorious.” I kissed her hand as a single tear fell from her eye. “I love you.”
Christine fell limp in the chair, her eyes falling closed. I looked at Merlin.
“Is she . . . ?”
M nodded with sadness in his eyes. “She remembers you no longer, sir. I am sorry.”
I kissed her cheek one last time before backing away.
This was how it always ended ….
Alexandria’s voice erupted into my mind. “Who’s Christine? What does she have to do with any of this?”
“Yes, Arthur,” Mordred goaded. “What does Christine have to do with this?”
My mouth went dry, and I couldn’t swallow down the bile rising from my stomach. This couldn’t be happening again.
Not again … please God no …
“Christine was a woman Arthur loved a few centuries back, Alexandria.” Merlin spoke for me. “She was given an ultimatum by Mordred.”
Alexandria’s pale cheeks appeared so unnatural. Their usual pink color which blushed under my gaze looked ghastly ill. Her fear was palpable in my chest.
“And what was that ultimatum?” Mordred pressed.
All of our work over the past year would be ruined in a matter of minutes. Alexandria’s smile, her laugh, and the way she looked so content in my arms. The sound she made when she came, and the way her left eyebrow arched critically when she didn’t agree with what I said—all of it would be just a dream.
Over.
Erased.
Gone.
“Arthur, please!” Alexandria begged to hear it from my lips. “What happened to Christine?”
Turning my head slowly to look at her, I fought back an onslaught of emotions. “The choice was either she died, or she would lose her memories and live a normal life.” I blinked back the heart-wrenching agony ripping through my soul.
Alexandria could feel what I was; I could tell by the way her face crumpled, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “No … Arthur, please … don’t.”
“She chose to die.” My voice broke as I remembered it just like yesterday. Christine telling me she would rather live a life without me than to forget me.
“Ah, but this is where the story gets oh-so-bloody twisted and really shows how selfish my father is.” Mordred shifted the dagger to his other hand. “Tell her what you did, Arthur.”
Alexandria waited for me to pound
the nail into our coffin.
“I forced her to forget me.” My lower lip trembled. “I didn’t allow her to die because I couldn’t live with myself. So I made Merlin take away all her memories of me.”
“Arthur …” she whispered with complete understanding in her blue eyes.
“Now tell her, Arthur. Tell her why we’re here yet again?” I couldn’t wait to kill this son of a bitch. His tongue licked against the shell of her ear, and Alexandria shuddered.
Our eyes locked.
I’m so sorry, my love.
Her brows furrowed briefly before her gaze widened in shock.
“No … Arthur … please!” She squirmed against Mordred’s hold. “You can’t do this!”
“Now, she understands!” Mordred cackled in triumph. “This is fantastic … Shall I name the terms?”
“No.” My voice was barely recognizable. “I know them all too well.”
“And which do you choose?” Mordred was high on his power trip. “Do you choose to save her and live the rest of your miserable days without her? Or do I spill her blood here and now?”
Alexandria stopped fighting to wait for my answer. “Arthur … I love you.”
She should have just stabbed me in the chest instead of pouring love undeserved onto me. I bit my lower lip and forced it to stay steady as I spoke.
“I choose life.”
Alexandria sunk to the ground, and Mordred released her from his death grip.
“Merlin.” I gulped down the biggest dose of regret I had ever stomached. “Erase Alexandria York’s memories of me. All of them. Make me disappear.”
Her cry of agony broke my heart.
And this time, there would be no repairing it.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Alexandria
I would wake up anytime now.
I would wake up in bed next to Avalon, and this would all just be a horrible nightmare. No matter how hard I pinched myself, my eyes refused to open. My stomach fell to the floor, dragging my heart with it.
This isn’t a nightmare.
This is real.
Avalon’s words echoed around in my mind over and over again like a broken record. Erase Alexandria York’s memories of me. All of them. Make me disappear.
No.
I didn’t want Avalon to disappear. I needed him with me, fighting for me, for us.
“Arthur, please.” I shook my head. “Don’t take away my memories of you. I need you.”
Mordred took the blade away from my throat, so I had a moment to breathe. I used the freedom to my advantage.
Pushing myself to my feet, I rushed to Avalon and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Avalon, don’t let me go. Take me with you now.”
His entire body tensed under my touch. He recoiled as though I’d burned him. Avalon gently pulled me from him and separated us.
Then I remembered what Morgan said—the grounds are spelled and no one could leave.
His gray-green eyes scanned over every inch of my face. I couldn’t speak anymore. That look spoke volumes. It was one of goodbye, of tracing every line and contour of my face so he could memorize me later.
“I’m so sorry, Alexandria”—his chest heaved roughly—“but I must do this.”
I reached up and touched his cheek. The tears refused to stop falling. “I don’t want to forget you, Arthur. We’ve come so far.”
“I know.” Avalon took my hand and kissed my palm. “Believe me; this is killing me.” His gaze glassed over with tears. “I love you more than anything on this Earth.”
“Then don’t send me away,” I begged. “Keep me.”
Mordred’s spoke directly behind me. “Say goodbye, Arthur.” His tone indicated he wasn’t pleased with me touching Avalon.
“No, Arthur, please.” I sobbed, tightening my grip on Avalon’s shirt. “I don’t want to do this! I don’t want to forget.”
His expression shattered.
And then the impossible happened.
Avalon broke.
He slipped to his knees before me, holding both of my hands. A violent sob wracked his strong body, and his voice sounded so tortured. “I need you to live, Alexandria. Just know that I love you, and I am so fucking happy I found you.” Avalon looked up; his storm-ridden gaze erupted with tears. “I’m so sorry … I’m …”
Mordred took hold of my arm and ripped me away from Avalon. “Come with me,” he growled. “Merlin, get this over with so we may go on our way.”
Avalon leaned forward onto his hands and knees, gasping for air.
I felt his panic.
I lived his agony.
We were soul bound.
We are soul bound. My eyes widened. Our blood bond will be broken but not our soul.
I kept that secret close to my chest. A small flicker of hope burned in my heart.
Even if I lose my memories, my soul will remember Avalon—right?
M walked over to me and offered a wooden chair for me to sit down. I did, watching as Avalon wobbled to his feet. His head hung low as he glanced over at me.
I didn’t know what to say.
We were about to lose each other again.
“Ms. York, I must ask that you forgive me.” Merlin leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Because of the blood bond, this may be a little painful for both of you.”
My entire body tensed at the mention of pain.
I was about to lose the love of my life. That was pain enough.
“Say your goodbyes, lovers,” Mordred taunted, pacing back and forth as he played with his dagger.
Morgan came to put her hand on my shoulder. “It’ll be all right, Alexandria. Just breathe.”
All I could do was nod.
Avalon composed himself and walked over to where I sat. Merlin moved to one side to let him come closer.
Wordlessly, he cupped my face in his hands and pressed the most passionate kiss we ever shared to my lips. My hands flew to tangle in his hair one last time and returned with equal fervor.
“I love you, and I will never stop searching for a way to win you back,” Avalon whispered against my mouth.
My heated gaze met the soft look in his eyes. “And I promise I will come back to you.”
He seemed to understand my meaning. “I have faith that you will.”
“I’m scared,” I admitted. Another wave of tears was on the brink of flooding over.
“Shh, my love. There is nothing to fear.” Avalon stroked my cheeks. “Have faith.”
I bit my lower lip and nodded my head. I didn’t trust my voice anymore.
“That’s enough.” Mordred waved his hand, and Lancer stepped closer to Avalon. The younger man knew better than to touch him, though. He merely lingered as a warning.
Vivian and John stood a safe distance away, but the looks on their faces said all they needed to. Vivian fought back tears, and John rubbed her back and gave me a tight smile. Even when life turned on us all, they still tried to stay strong—for my sake.
M sighed, removing his glasses and giving them to Morgan. “Are you ready, Alexandria?” The wizard couldn’t be physically older than thirty-five, but all of a sudden, I saw his age. Moments like this made me wonder just how much older Merlin was than Avalon.
“I don’t have a choice, do I?” I forced a smile, attempting to be brave.
The kind man returned my smile. “No, my lady, you don’t.”
The room stilled in an eerie way. As if the universe knew we had been foiled once again. Everyone waited for Merlin to start whatever he had to do.
His hands rested gently on my temples and whispered. “Look at Arthur and do not look away.”
My eyes traveled over the room and landed on the man I loved.
I reached out to him, and he came closer. “I’m here.” He kissed my palm. “I’ll never leave you.”
“I love you.” I managed to speak before a warm sensation bloomed over my temples. It became warmer and spread beneath my skin. My eyes fluttered, but I kept focusing on Avalon�
�s face.
I don’t want to forget you.
You never will.
I love you, Arthur.
And I love you, so much, my love.
We had shared a silent conversation before a prickling itched in my blood. That itch became a scratch, and my body trembled and tossed me forward as I screamed in agony. Tiny blades seemed to scrape over my veins, muscles, and skin.
Avalon’s grip on my hand tightened, and he groaned.
“Well, well …” Mordred strode closer to us, watching our mutual exchange in interest. “Was there a blood bond involved, Merlin?”
Merlin merely shot him a dirty look. “Step back if you want this to work.”
“Just make sure it does, or the girl dies.” Mordred sneered. “I’d hate to waste so much blood when it isn’t necessary.”
I ignored his comment.
“Alexandria, you are fighting me,” Merlin said through gritted teeth. “I need you to relax.”
I don’t want to relax!
I want to fight.
I have to fight.
My gaze met Avalon’s, and he shook his head. “Let go, love. It’ll be fine. I promise.”
Nodding, I did as Merlin asked. I kept my eyes on Avalon, but I released my mind to the wizard.
I saw everything fade from my memory like an old movie reel.
Avalon and I laughing and cuddling in bed, making love, our first date.
The moment when he came back from the other side when I thought he had died.
He and I coming back together the night of my birthday.
Tears slipped from my eyes.
Memories stolen from me.
Some happy, sad, frustrating, but always with him.
The first time we made love.
The first time we kissed.
The arguments, the tension, the desire burning for him was so strong.
Avalon rubbed his thumb over the back of my knuckles.
“I don’t want to forget you …” I sobbed as the memory of my first time at Caliburn faded.
“Shh, Alexandria.” He wiped the tears from my eyes.
Our meeting at my art gallery jammed into my heart, and I shook my head. “Avalon, please don’t make me forget!”
Resurrection: A Historical Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 3) Page 17