Avalon wasn’t completely human.
Avalon’s body healed on its own.
Avalon loved me.
Avalon . . .
Twenty
Avalon
The ache in my gut would linger for a day or two. I was still shocked she had the gall to even defend herself. Picking up the familiar dagger, I smiled.
“Hello, Pridwen. Found a new use, have you?” After slipping the dagger’s blade along clean silk, I sheathed it again.
I scooped up Alexandria’s limp body as I stood. I pressed a kiss to her forehead. She was in shock. She was tired. She needed rest.
I walked down the dimly lit hall, past methods of torture I had purposely hidden, and back up the stairs. Blood stained both our hands. A new kind of blood. I didn’t know what exactly she knew or understood, but something had happened between us just then. Something good instead of bad.
Walking back up the grand staircase, I saw Orla, who rushed over with her hand over her mouth.
“She’s all right, just fainted. She’s tired and needs a bed.” I offered the older woman a smile.
Lancer popped his head out of the small kitchen, and I heard whatever he had been holding crash to the floor.
“What did you do? What happened to her? Oh, God, Allie.”
I didn’t stop him from taking her from my arms, though I hadn’t wanted to let her go. I wanted to keep her curled up safe with me forever.
“She knows.” My face leveled with Lancer’s. “She found out on her own. She thought I killed the women”—I shrugged—“so she stabbed me, thinking I was going to kill her.”
Lancer’s face fell from concerned into a relieved smile. Looking down at the woman in his arms, he kissed the top of her head. “That’s my lass.”
“Take her to bed. Have Orla help you.” I covered my stomach as it ached. “She needs rest, and I need rest. We’ll all regroup in the morning.”
Lancer nodded. “Are you okay?” He glanced at the still-healing wound on my stomach.
“‘Tis but a flesh wound.” I gave him a wink before turning and wincing at the twist she had caused in my gut.
M merely watched me as I passed with a small smile on his face. He, of all people, would know what this night meant. I nodded and walked gingerly back to my room. Whiskey was first on my list. A shower was second. Bed was third.
Once settled into the sheets that welcomed me back night after night, I sighed. Alexandria’s eyes told no lies. I could tell she was starting to be able to read mine, as well. The fear I saw when she realized what she had done. The wonder at seeing me healed. I couldn’t help but smile when confusion had filled her face when I had told her I love her.
I love her.
I had told her how I felt. I imagined her next to me, head on my chest. Holding her was home. As much as I promised to shield my heart, she was breaking down my walls, one by one. The steel was melting.
I toyed with the ring on my finger. This time, I’d show her everything. She was the one I burned for the most. Closing my eyes, I was tugged under. Feet stepped on grass, and I saw her standing on the shore of a pond. She was dressed in a pale blue dress, her wild mahogany hair whipping around in the wind. I went to her.
I placed both hands on her shoulders, and she leaned back into me.
“Well, here we are again.”
She spoke first. Kissing the top of her head, I nodded.
“Yes, we are, love.” I wrapped my arms around her. This might be my last chance to ever hold her. When she learned my truth, she’d hate me. She’d already guessed half of it down in the lower level of the castle.
“Are you the reason I have no control in dreams such as this?” Her hands covered mine, threading them together.
“Yes.” I sighed into her ear.
“I want to know who you are. I want to know who keeps coming to me at night, Arthur.” Her thumb rubbed along the top of my knuckles.
“I will show you on one condition.” I inhaled. “I want to kiss you one last time.”
Her laugh was sad. “Agreed.”
My heart ached, for here there was nothing to shield it from her. “Close your eyes,” I whispered as I turned her to face me.
As always, Alexandria obeyed.
I cupped her cheeks in my hands, leaning down to kiss her. Her arms flew around to hold the back of my neck. Fingernails teased at my scalp. I fisted mine in her hair and then lowered them to stroke her back. I never wanted this to end. I never wanted to lose this place we’d created.
“I love you, Alexandria.” I spoke against her lips. “I love you with all I am.”
“Who are you though, Arthur?”
I caught her tears with my thumb.
“Who do you want me to be?” I kissed her again.
Gathering my strength, I pulled away. She still waited with her eyes closed. I locked my jaw against the desperation of losing her.
I uttered a warning. “You do realize nothing will ever be the same?”
She worried her lower lip with her teeth. “I need to know the truth, Arthur. I deserve to.”
Nodding to myself, I let go. “Open your eyes.”
She did, blinking slowly. Blue eyes searched every inch of my face, her mouth parting in shock. My eyes narrowed in confusion. She should be bombarding me with questions. She should be screaming at me in anger. I’d lied to her. I’d taken her without her knowing. Yet here she stood with wide, beautiful eyes, taking in my face as if she had been starved for it.
“Say something. I’m beginning to worry.” A smile tugged on my lips.
Alexandria smiled broadly back. She threw her arms around my neck, and her laughter rang out across the meadow. When she pulled back, her eyes were the most brilliant blue, and her kiss drowned me in all that was her.
“I knew it was you, Legend.”
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About the Author
Kylie Stewart has been writing short stories and books all her life. A native of Hammond, New York, Kylie grew up on the St. Lawrence River dreaming of big things. She has a Master’s of Science in Equine Business from Middle Tennessee State University, which is why there are so many horses in her books. After working in the Kentucky Race Horse Industry, she moved back to Tennessee to pursue writing, audiobook narrating, and voice acting. She is a huge nerd and big into anime as well as the cosplay community.
Kylie was influenced by her Scottish heritage to become an independent British history buff. She has a small library dedicated to Tudor history and is lover of the Arthurian legends. She also has an intense love of the supernatural, theological, paranormal, and mythological worlds.
Kylie lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and fellow voice actor Eric Rolon, and their two cats, Asuka and Haru.
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Other Books by Kylie C. Stewart
LEGEND SERIES
Set in Stone #1
The Duke’s Curse #2
COMING SOON
Resurrection #3 (Summer 2017)
Return to Avalon #4 (Winter 2017)
Rise of the Dragon #5 (Spring 2018)
Into the Inferno #6 (Summer 2018)
Chasing Camelot #7 (Winter 2018)
Legend Book #2 The Duke’s Curse
Coming 2017
Alexandria knows the truth behind the lies. Will she walk away from Avalon or stay? The choice is up to her, but more than one fate hangs in the balance now.
Avalon’s deepest fears lurk in every shadow. Debilitated under a newly arisen weakness, his only hope lies in Alexandria. Can he trust her to save him from eternal darkness?
Destiny has been se
t in stone. The first Quest is about to begin. For Once is in the past and the Future has begun.
Playlist
“Crystallize” (Orchestrated) – Lindsey Stirling
“Ever After” – Marianas Trench
“Talking Bodies” – Tove Lo
“Bring You to Life” – Steve Aoki
“Don’t Say a Word” – Ellie Goulding
“Blind” – Hurts
“Sumiregusa (Wild Violet)” – Enya
“Take Me to Church” – Hozier
“Gravity” – Sara Bareilles
“Devotion” – Hurts (featuring Kylie Minogue)
“Underneath” – Adam Lambert
“Cosmic Heart” – Florence and the Machine
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Set in Stone: A Contemporary Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 1) Page 20