Set in Stone: A Contemporary Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 1)

by Kylie Stewart

  “Your Grace, I have an invitation from His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, to the Spring Gala for his charities.”

  Raven hair fell around her shoulders, and I could tell black eyes wished death upon me.

  “He has requested your presence,” she added.

  “Why send a messenger such as yourself?” I crossed my arms, watching her rise back to standing.

  “I offered. You know how well I get on with the Duchess of Cornwall.” She shrugged, batting her lashes. “It was a simple task, really. How have you been, Avalon? I hear rumors about you nowadays.”

  “That’s enough. Give me the damn invite and leave. You are not allowed on this property.”

  I watched her face flicker with annoyance at the mention of putting a spell around my property line.

  “You’re so cold. I suppose that’s what it’s like, though.” She casually handed me the invitation. She dropped her voice to a whisper, adding, “Living in your own hell . . .”

  My hand moved on its own to strike, but a solid grip stopped me.

  “Sir, I do believe I can handle it from here.” M’s calm voice had an edge of warning to it.

  I faced the woman who had immediately backed away upon M’s arrival. Nodding at M, I gave him permission to deal with the intruder.

  “Good to see you; it’s been so long.” M sailed over the steps and closed the gap between him and the woman.

  She glared between M and me, mouth opening and closing wordlessly.

  “Orla? Orla, where are you? I need your opinion on— Oh . . .” Alexandria stopped at the top of the stairs, looking down.

  I cursed inwardly, and the woman’s frown curled upward into a brilliant, evil smile.

  “So she is here . . .” the woman mused faintly.

  “Avalon, M, have you seen Orla?” Alexandria came bounding down the stairs, asking questions as if everything were normal.

  I put my hand out to stop her from moving forward. I heard her huff.

  “Playing games now?”

  “Stay where you are,” I demanded, trying convey the urgency of the moment.

  Alexandria’s did not look amused, but she did as I asked.

  “You must be Alexandria York, the sculptor! I’ve heard you were working for His Grace, but I never imagined you’d be working in his home.” The woman looked Alexandria up and down.

  I found myself putting an arm protectively around her.

  Alexandria’s smaller body stiffened at my touch, but she didn’t move away from it. In fact, as the woman pushed past M, Alexandria leaned closer into me. Perhaps, she could sense it, too—the darkness this woman emitted.

  “Tell me, Avalon, it has been a while since a woman stayed under your roof. What’s it like?” She grinned.

  I hated her. “Get. Out.”

  “So touchy.” Her black eyes rolled.

  “Who are you?”

  Alexandria’s voice brought me out of the stare I had the woman locked in. Alexandria had gripped me back. I had to focus on not rejoicing her touch and making sure this didn’t end badly.

  “Why, I am Ms. Le Fey. I am a close friend of Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, and I am secretary for Sir Thomas Mordred’s G.R.A.I.L. Company.” Ms. Le Fey smiled at me. “I hear you and your colleague, Elaine, will be gracing us with your work.”

  Alexandria hesitated. “Yes, once my commissioned work here is finished.”

  My fingers around her waist tightened.

  No.

  No way would I let her be alone with that monster.

  “Excellent! I shall let Sir Thomas know. He is such a fan of your work.” Ms. Le Fey’s dark eyes took in the two of us standing so close.

  That cocky smirk crossed her face. It sickened me how much it mirrored mine.

  “A word of advice to you, Ms. York.” The woman’s eyes turned back to Alexandria. “He is a Dragon. Everything he wants, he not only takes but also possesses.”

  She turned on her heel and made her exit out of Caliburn. It would take M weeks to get rid of that horrid aura she reeked everywhere. I looked down at Alexandria.

  “Are you all right?”

  She nodded. “She was a strange woman. Do you have a past with her?” Those blue eyes questioned earnestly.

  “Yes, but not in the romantic sense. That woman wants to watch me fall. That bitch is the source for almost all the rumors about me.” I reluctantly let her go.

  “Oh. Well, have you seen Orla?” Alexandria tried to regain her composure to my outburst.

  “I’m right here, dear.” The older woman appeared at the base of the stairs. “That woman was odd, wasn’t she?”

  “Indeed.” M nodded, watching me carefully. He knew what the woman’s visit meant, just as well as I did. It wasn’t good.

  “You two go off and do what you must.” I forced a smile for Alexandria’s sake. She looked pale. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

  With a nod, Orla and Alexandria took each other’s hands and scurried off. I walked the rest of the way down the stairs and toward M. His face had grown hard.

  “Sir, now that she knows Ms. York is here, things will not be as easy.” He placed a hand on my back. “Especially if Mordred commissioned a piece from Ms. York. I know you don’t want her alone or even anywhere near Mordred, but don’t do anything rash right now.”

  The man was trying to quell the panic surging through my veins.

  “M, I can’t lose this time.” I gripped his shoulders, hanging my head. I couldn’t compose myself. “Alexandria, I—she can’t.” Words wouldn’t form.

  I couldn’t lose her.

  Not this time.

  “We will do everything we can to keep her safe here. Invite her to the Gala.” M smiled reassuringly. “That will give her a reason to only be away for two days. She’d have to come back Wednesday in order to prepare for Thursday night.”

  I nodded. “I shall tonight at dinner.” I blinked back the overwhelming emotions that threatened to break free.

  Fear.

  Regret.

  Anguish.

  Lust.

  Love.

  What was Alexandria doing to me?

  “There will be no storm tonight, sir.” M patted my arm.

  “Yes.” I nodded. “But there could always be rain.”

  Alexandria had taken a moment to herself to freshen up before dinner. Not that I minded her appearance. Her messy hair and clay-stained attire rather intrigued me. It also appeared she was doing her best to put the incident from earlier this afternoon behind her. She came willingly to the table and started a lively conversation about the CAC.

  “Speaking of charities, I have a favor to ask of you, Ms. York.”

  As I wiped my mouth, I caught her glaring at me.

  I raised my hand in apology. “Alexandria.”

  “And that is?” She didn’t hide her smirk.

  “Would you please do me the honor and accompany me to the Royal Spring Charity Gala for His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, this Thursday evening?”

  Her mouth fell open slightly. Her face grew crimson as she stared at her plate.

  “I-I don’t know what to say.” Her voice was unsteady.

  “Please say yes. It will be a fantastic chance for you to meet people who know of your work. You will be able to network. Not to mention, rub elbows with the elite.” I gave her a wink to try to soothe her nerves.

  “Yes, but I’m a commoner.”

  The way she said it made me frown. I quickly stood and walked around the table toward her. Taking the seat next to her, I took her hand.

  “No. You are an artist. An extremely gifted artist. I am most happy to have you on my arm.” I worked the same charm that had convinced so many others to throw their cares to the wind and spend a night with me. Yet with Alexandria, I meant every word. “Please, I know this wasn’t included in our verbal agreement, but it is in the contract for your benefit. I can take care of the bill for your dress as my token of thanks.”


  “I . . . Avalon.” She was staring at our hands. Finally, she caved. “Yes, I will go with you.”

  “Fantastic! I shall arrange to pick you up at your apartment at 6:00 p.m., sharp.” I kissed the back of her hand before reaching into my pocket and handing her a black card.

  “What’s this?” Alexandria hesitated then took the card.

  “Treat yourself to the gown of your dreams. You will find, my lady, that I can give you many things.”

  With her answer, I stood and went back to my plate. She held the credit card in her hand as though it were glass.

  “I don’t know why you treat me like this. You give me whiplash, Avalon.” She looked up at me.

  For the first time, I saw fear registered on her face. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

  I wanted to take all of her fears away.

  I needed to protect her.

  I would protect her.

  It did rain that night. There wasn’t a storm, but the light rain fell as a constant reminder of late spring in England. Long after dinner had finished, I had retired to my room to do some research on the president of G.R.A.I.L. His plans sickened me. What was worse—we needed the same piece on the chessboard in order to win.

  My queen.

  I sat on the edge of my bed, the ring settled on my finger. I’d made my choice. I wouldn’t lose again. Closing my eyes again, I felt the familiar pulse before my feet landed within the realm of her dreams—not in some far-off place, no exotic location; I appeared in her bedroom in my castle. She was encased in the shelter of the four-poster bed’s sheer fabrics. I ran my hand against the outside, halting before I opened it. Her back was to me. A small smile crept across my lips. I still had control.

  “Did you miss me?” There was no sound as I tied the blindfold, my lips whispering down her neck to her shoulder. I slipped inside the cover of the curtain and forgot the outside world.

  She turned to me, wordlessly, but running fingers over my chest to find me.

  “What if I didn’t?” She was flushed, her lips parted. Every ounce of her body screamed for me to take her.

  I would . . . in time.

  “I’d say you were a bad little girl, and you are lying.” I took both of her hands and pinned her down against the bed. “I didn’t get my turn last time, and I plan to take it now.”

  She bit back a moan.

  “Did you miss me?” Alexandria’s voice was soft, hopeful. I’d give her what she needed and a bit of the truth.

  “Yes, I missed you.” My hand ran up her smooth thigh, pushing back the lacy black material.

  Her body trembled. “Why don’t you come to me every night?”

  That was a good question. Why didn’t I?

  “Absence does make the heart grow fonder. And I can’t. You must need me, call out for me in order for your mind to create me.” Fingers continued to push the nightgown up past her stomach, exposing skin. The little black thong she wore was useless. I could make quick work of it. I had to keep her under the guise that this was all in her mind. I wasn’t real.

  “I want you every night.” Her hands tangled in my hair.

  Giving a quick nip to her navel, I lifted the nightgown off and over her head. When she fell back on the bed, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked so damn innocent; it was hard to imagine someone had been here before me.

  “As do I, Alexandria.” I kissed her, pressing myself against her.

  She was so tense, nervous, but the longer we kissed, the more her reserve broke away. Soon, her hands wrapped around my neck, allowing me to feel flesh to flesh. The sensation was a rush at first. So familiar, so much like home. Her body molded to mine like a puzzle, and her passion matched mine.

  My hands found her breasts and squeezed gently. Oh, her reaction was glorious. Her neck arched back against the pillow, a mess of dark hair fanned out around her face. I let my fingers run down her bare throat.

  “You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen . . .” The words slipped out as I took a moment to caress her heated cheeks.

  “W-What?” She blindly looked around.

  “May I have you?” I asked against her lips.

  A devastating moment of silence hung between us.

  “Yes.” The desire in her whisper had my heart racing.

  A warm solace swept over me, and the beast removed his shackles. The animalistic need took control as I fisted my hand in her hair, forcing her back to arch.

  “Tell me again . . . do you want me?” My free hand was making work of my trousers, and I soon kicked them to the end of the bed.

  “Yes, I want you!” Her voice was strangled, a pleasured sob escaping. “Arthur, I need you.”

  I wasn’t prepared for that. I wasn’t prepared for the way she said my name. I wasn’t ready for this. I allowed the tension in my fingers to go slack, allowing her to lie down flat. That same hand ran gently from her throat, between both breasts, and down her stomach. I studied her, every damn inch of her, and my desire grew. She was perfection. She was slender, so athletic, and it showed in the lean muscles rippling in her stomach as my fingers teased between her hipbones. Her breasts weren’t the largest, but they were bloody perfect just as they were. She had curves where she needed them.

  I found myself pulling her up, wrapping my arms around her, and kissing her as deeply as I could. “Say that again . . . please.”

  She didn’t seem to understand at first until her hand reached out and caressed my face. Alexandria was warm, gentle, and kind. Alexandria felt like home. And I hated her for it. I hated the truth of what we were, what she had yet to learn. I moved into her touch, relishing the moment. I turned my face to kiss her small palm.

  Her voice was soft. “Arthur, I need you.”

  That carnal lust was still strong in my body, but I was able to move with care around her. Sure, this was just a dream, and I could be as rough as I wanted to be, but why ruin this moment? She needed me. I could do something for her no one else could. The demon subsided as she soothed me with her touch.

  I needed her. I wanted to do exactly as Le Fey said. I wanted to take her—possess her. Like a dragon wrapping his tail protectively around his treasure, I wrapped my body around her. I would give in to my hopes in this space we’d created. A fantasy of what could have been and what still could be.

  “As I need you, Alexandria.” I laid her back down, letting my hand slip between her legs, teasing along the heat of her core.

  Her body jumped, only to relax back as I played before I sought deeper.

  Alexandria cried out quietly in the night. Her legs opened slightly, allowing me more room. I kissed every inch of skin I could find. I longed to consume her in the light, but this darkness was my shield. Her dreams were my dreams. I watched her body writhe under my careful ministrations. She was my instrument. I wanted her to sing for me and only me.

  “More, Arthur, please— I can’t . . . I need more.”

  Her pleading worked on me. I pressed myself against her, wrapping one arm around her lower back to support her as I aligned my length with her entrance. Her hands grappled on my back, blunt nails biting into my skin.

  My hips rocked, and I slipped into her heat, trying my best to control the urge to just blindly take her. Alexandria gasped as I sheathed myself to the hilt. I paused, waiting for her body to relax before setting a slow, hard pace. She forced me to kiss her, and I didn’t resist.

  “Gods, you feel so good.” I moaned against her ear.

  “I’ve never . . . never felt like this.” She was breathless, her hips snapping back to meet mine. She wasn’t a spectator, which was a pleasant surprise.

  “I wish I could stay like this with you for eternity.” Hands roamed over her body as my thrusts grew faster and faster.

  “I wish you were real,” Alexandria sobbed.

  Pain. Overwhelming pain shot through my soul at those words as I watched a tear escape the fold.

  Oh, but I am. I am so very real. You may have all of
this in time. Just don’t give up on me.

  “I’m yours.” I didn’t care what I was saying. Something drove me on, something more than just the lust, desire, wanting. There was a need. I should be angry with her and shield myself against her. She was cutting down my armor, but the pleasure—Oh, God, the pleasure of delighting in her again after so long drove me.

  “I’m . . . Arthur, I’m going . . .”

  She didn’t have to tell me what she was about to do. I was there, hanging on the edge, waiting. My hips grew uneven in their pace as a wave of warning flooded over my loins.

  “Set me free . . .” I kissed her with such force, I was afraid I’d hurt her.

  When she answered with the same passion, I couldn’t hold off any longer. Our mouths muffled the sounds of our release. We came together—and then she was gone.

  I gasped awake; my back arched against the bed as my body took over, finishing what I had started in the dream. I could feel her skin. I could smell her hair. Shit—she surrounded me.

  My body went limp, and something trickled out of the corner of my eye. I turned in bed to face the window, allowing a pathetic smile to cross my lips.

  “It’s still raining . . .”

  Eleven

  Alexandria

  The good news was that I completed the base structure that weekend. The bad news was an imaginary man had rocked my world Saturday night. I squirmed in the passenger seat of Elaine’s car. Upon my arrival back in London, and after telling Elaine I had the duke’s credit card for a gown, she wasted no time planning a shopping spree. It gave her an excuse to play fashion show with me.

  It didn’t matter. After my art show gown, I trusted Elaine with my shopping. We had been up and down High Street, and the bags in the backseat proved it. Only two of the bags belonged to me. The new gown and a pair of shoes with a matching clutch settled between Elaine’s. She had been excited for me, eager to hear what had happened over the weekend. I told her almost everything—minus the intense moment in my room and the dreams. I kept Arthur to myself.

  “You are going to be rubbing elbows with the high society of England! Aren’t you excited? Allie, your grandmamma would be so proud. She practically trained you for this.” Elaine parked, looking over at me.