“Gabe,” I said, “thank you so much for doing this. I want you to know that I love—”
Gabe placed a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t go getting sentimental. It makes me think you won’t…” His gaze drifted to Morgana and snapped back to me. “You’re strong. Beat them.”
If he wouldn’t let me say it, I’d show him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him.
“Wait!” Morgana said. I spun to see her bouncing on the balls of her feet, her eyes wide. “I didn’t say goodbye to Garix.”
“Garix is preparing for battle. There’s no time to—”
With a powerful screech, Garix soared into view, blocking out the sun’s rays before ascending. Each powerful flap of his wings sent red and orange leaves swirling around us until he gracefully met the ground beside Morgana.
I’d already forgotten she could do that. It was another reason why I was happy to send her far away from the war.
Morgana skipped over to Garix, his scales alight with determined rays of sunshine that pushed through the overcast. Morgana put her face to Garix who gave way to a gentle purr as she patted him clumsily on his lowered head.
The pit of my stomach flashed a wave of empathy from Garix that felt like the color pink. Love.
Morgana looked cheerful as she waved goodbye to us all one last time before climbing into the carriage. I was grateful that, once inside, she could no longer see me. I felt my strong exterior give way. As her carriage shrunk into the distance, my mind recycled one thought again and again. This might be the last time I ever see my daughter.
Sadness welled inside me, draining my strength like the horizon drains the sun. Everything beautiful was behind me. I could feel Minseo and Young's expectant gazes and I wondered if they shared the same pain. My balance wavered and, rather than collapse, I sat willfully on the cold ground, Garix twitching away from my sadness. It's okay, Garix. Return to the farm for dinner.
The gusts from Garix's wings, as he flew away, composed me a bit and, after a few deep breaths, I was ready to stand again. I sighed. It was time for me to head home for dinner. Just before I pushed myself back to my feet, I felt someone's hands curl around my legs. Minseo lifted me into the air, cradling me in his arms, and I let my head rest against his chest.
I couldn't remember the last time he'd held me, or how long since we'd even touched, but his skin on mine sent me a shot of life I desperately needed and suddenly craved.
Minseo turned away from Morgana’s carriage and back towards the Vires capital, drawing my gaze to Young. I felt my heart studder at his fiery expression. But his molten gaze was not on me, it was on Minseo.
With my cheek, I could feel Minseo's heart rate double and his muscles tense. His grip on me tightened.
Young's gaze dropped to me, sending ice through my veins.
It had been weeks since I'd told Young about my decision to be with Minseo, but all of that had been pushed aside for the war. Now, as the three of us stood face to face, the weight of choosing one brother over the other seemed to hit us all at once.
Now that Morgana was safe, I had no reason to harbor ill will toward Young. The real enemy would arrive in Vires within a week. I was committed to my promise to fight and give my life to protect Young's home, as he'd once done for mine.
But if I only had a week left to live, I wanted to spend every second of that time with Minseo—to fill my final days with scarlet red before its comparable life essence was carved from my flesh.
I steeled my nerves as Young's bladelike gaze crossed with mine. My anger from his choices had dimmed and, despite the fierceness of his gaze, I knew we were not enemies but comrades in war. We had one last battle to fight together, and after, regardless of the outcome, my time with him would be at its end.
Our men were in place, our supplies were stocked, and all that remained was an excruciating wait.
48
Minseo
As I carried Charlotte away from Young and back to town, I imagined I was carrying her away from her old life towards a new one, but the truth was, Charlotte, Young, and I were all going to the same place. The battle. Even with all the preparations we’d made and Garix as a wildcard, the grim reaper roamed the streets of Vires and every one of us knew it. Camelot couldn’t be defeated, and even if we managed to survive this battle, it wouldn’t be long before Arthur tripled their efforts and returned. Our only hope, if there was one, was to kill Arthur, and there was no doubt in my mind that he would be closely guarded by Merlin. I shuddered when I thought of facing off with the earthbound goddess I’d crossed paths with before.
It was an honor to die for Vires, one I didn’t want. If I was honest, I wanted nothing more than to take Charlotte, find Morgana, and disappear—away from kingdoms, thrones, and the blood that won them.
I gritted my teeth. My time with Charlotte was going to run out, again. When I imagined dying alongside her, it was in a much further future.
As we neared Gabriel’s empty house, I couldn’t help but notice how fragile Charlotte actually seemed. She was light enough for me to lift and carry back without exerting myself. My stomach turned at the thought of her on the battlefield.
“Am I getting heavy?” she asked, jogging me from my thoughts.
“No.”
Her voice was soft. “You look so serious.”
We pushed through Gabriel’s gate and I put her down outside the door as I unlocked it and stepped inside.
We sat by the empty fireplace, two wet logs lay charred but still whole as if the home’s tenants had left in a hurry.
Charlotte’s hand slipped into mine.
I turned to her, fear barreling into me. I wasn’t afraid to die, but losing her, that was unbearable. “Char, I was thinking, what if we just go join Gabriel and Morgana. We can start over, find a new kingdom…”
She smiled as if there was a hidden joke I hadn’t intended. She lifted her arm. “Do you see this muscle?” she said.
I nodded.
"Can you feel how strong it is?"
I patted it and nodded.
She tilted her head to the side. "We're going to win, Minseo."
"You don't think it's impossible?"
She lay across my lap, thrusting herself into my arms. "Of course I do. Absolutely impossible, just like having a magical daughter or a pet dragon."
I pulled her closer, feeling the life returning to me with every word she spoke. She went on, "And when we get married, we'll live together. Me, you, Gabriel, Junho, and Morgana."
I closed my eyes, picturing the future I desperately wanted. The one that was worth fighting for.
My eyes opened and I looked down at her. It felt as if a rock had shattered my daydream. "We can't get married, you're technically still married to my brother."
She shrugged. "We'll have to take him out during the battle."
Laughter burst from me.
She sat up. "I'm kidding." She giggled. "Seriously, that was a joke."
"I'm pretty sure that's treason."
She sighed and lay back. "Put it on my tab."
The laughter had driven out my dark thoughts. I wasn't sure if she meant any of it or if she was just cheering me up, but I got her message. We weren't dead yet and, while we still had time, we owed it to ourselves to cling to our last precious days.
I looked down at her cradled half on my lap and the half in my left arm. Perfect. I ran my right hand through my hair slowly and felt her shudder on my lap.
Her breaths deepened. Suddenly, a smile flashed to her face and she jolted upright. "Did you just use a move on me?"
Grasping at her, I said, "Of course not." I quickly ran my hand through my hair again.
"You just did it again."
I put my nose to hers. "Listen, Charlotte, if I wanted to make something happen, I wouldn't need a move."
I leaned in and kissed her softly and pulled away to savor the involuntary lean forward she couldn't help.
"No," she whispered. "Not gently."
My body pulsed. "Yes, my queen," I said as I stood, lifting her. I turned and pushed her back onto the couch. Heat surged through me as I slipped her dagger from her scabbard and cut through the strings on the front of her dress. I ripped her dress open and tossed the dagger aside.
She gripped me from the back of my neck and pulled me in. She kissed me hard and I matched her, taking a handful of her hair. She arched her back, the corners of her mouth turning up. My body burned, as if the fire beside us had suddenly lit. I supposed while we were still alive, she wanted to feel every sensation, to carry the weight of my touch on her body even as we stepped into battle.
But with her bare skin against mine, each taste and stroke and kiss blurred time until nothing existed but her. Five days and nights melted together and brought with it our reckoning.
Whatever awaited us in death—the next life, a long sleep, even heaven—could wait.
49
Arthur
I half expected us to battle our way onto the shore or for the dragon to strike us midway across the Jin Sea, despite Merlin’s attempts to hide us, but we pulled our ships up to the Viran harbor without a hint of resistance or military presence. The harbor was scattered with fishermen who didn’t seem surprised or impressed by our approach.
I turned to Galahad. “Have they given up already?”
He flashed a broad smile. “Virans are traditional people. They likely won’t attack until you meet the king and declare war on Vires officially. ”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “It seems like a waste of time. How much farther from here?”
“Not far, Your Majesty. Half a day’s walk through the mountain pass.”
I scanned our soldiers for Lance to no avail, but it only took a moment to spot Merlin. I waved her over and, as expected, Lance followed closely behind.
“Merlin is tired from the fog. We should let her rest a while before we—“
I scoffed. “Galahad just told me there was no risk of attack before I officially declare war on Vires. Your whole idea to have Merlin use her powers to hide us was a complete waste of time and energy.” I turned to Galahad, who appeared to be ordering the twins to begin unloading a particular group of soldiers. “Galahad,” I called, “let’s get these guys off the ships quickly and move out.”
He bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lance grabbed my arm. “Don’t forget, Merlin is the one who is supposed to protect you.”
I pulled my arm away. “It’s everyone’s job to protect me. It’s also their job to follow my orders without questioning them.”
I knew that if my uncle were here, he’d scold me for my impatience. But he wasn’t here. All I had of him was this armor and some vague anti-war advice he’d given before I left.
The men unloaded off the ship and separated quickly into their assigned teams, each led by one of my knights. Percival and Lamorak corralled the horses off their transport ships and walked them one by one to the knights.
As soon as Lamorak handed me the reigns of my horse, I mounted it and headed for the mountain pass. I had no intention of dragging this out; I needed to get things started. I heard the scramble of my army behind me as they streamlined their preparations to catch up with me and the furious gallop of Lance and Merlin’s horses as they rushed to my side.
The mountains jutted up from the earth in front of us. They were steep and covered in trees that had a navy blue hue. I felt a twinge of nerves as I scanned the foreign shore, but I certainly wasn’t going to need a map to find the mountain pass. When we reached the mouth where the road met the mountains, the path was hardly five horses wide. I was glad to have most of our soldiers on foot.
The path plunged us into shade that was noticeably colder, and tunneled wind slapped at our faces as we made our way through the winding road.
We rode for almost an hour, and the road had very little variation, barring some steeper sections and stones that partially obstructed the path. I hoped that there was flat land and sunshine on the other side. When I’d envisioned this battle, as I’d done compulsively since the idea of going to war settled in, I’d never imagined it in a dark, gloomy tunnel like this, and it irked me.
My horse came to a sudden halt. Ahead, the mountains opened the road to a sunlit canyon and, even from the shadows, I could see the king on his horse at its center. This was my moment. A rush of fear and exhilaration shot through me as I moved through the last of the narrow path and into the rocky canyon. As my horse moved into the light, I could see rows of soldiers on the far end of the canyon behind the king, and just beyond them was another narrow pathway that I assumed led to their city.
I tallied the number of soldiers as I moved out into the canyon just enough for my own soldiers to fall in line behind me. We were in Viran territory, and by my count, we had a few hundred more than they did. I scoffed. No wonder they favored peace. They did, however, appear to be one dragon short. I sighed. This wasn’t going to be the legendary battle I’d thirsted for but a mere skirmish. When the rest of my men were in position, I turned to Galahad. He nodded and I rode alone to the center of the canyon to meet the Viran king. Frustration built as I neared. He was gray-haired, his face strongly lined with age. His armor was worn from a time long passed, and he wore no flourish or crown to distinguish himself as king. He looked as if he could be quickly eliminated with a chest cold, so I knew I couldn’t earn anyone’s respect by striking him down with Excalibur.
I swallowed my disappointment as I stopped my horse a few feet from his. We dismounted and met at the center of the canyon.
“We do not wish to fight,” the old king said. “We can spare the lives of good men. All we ask is that you let us out of your alliance and the trade tax that accompanies it.”
I gritted my teeth. “You are far too old to be on this battlefield. Where’s your heir?” I asked. The king’s eyebrows rose.
“Where’s your heir?” I repeated.
“I am the king of Vires,” he said, his tone heavy with confusion.
“Prince Minseo of Vires!” I yelled. “Minseo!”
I heard the horse's hooves sound from the far end of the canyon and leaned around the king to see Minseo riding toward us. Ah. Excellent. I watched Minseo come closer into view, his body still rife with youth and vitality.
“Do not disregard me,” the king said, drawing my attention. My heart stopped. The king had drawn his sword. I reached for Excalibur, but there was no time. The king lifted his sword to make his attack on me.
“No!” Minseo yelled from several yards away.
My instinct was to block my face with my arms. A clang rang out. The Viran king’s sword landed on the ground at my feet, followed by the king. I blinked with disbelief as blood poured from his throat and he gurgled his last breath. Bile rose from my gut.
Minseo charged at me. “You bastard!” he screamed.
Confused and disoriented, I fumbled for my sword, the cries of both armies filling the canyon as they charged. A sudden gust of wind sent Minseo and his horse flying back across the canyon. My mind scrambled to connect what I’d just seen. Merlin had struck the king to protect me. The concentrated air had been so precise it had mortally cut the king, who was just inches away, and I hadn’t even felt it.
Her larger gust had bought me time, so I mounted my horse, turned, and rode back toward my soldiers.
That’s when all hell broke loose.
50
Charlotte
I heard the trumpets sound, signaling the Viran archers to step up to the canyon’s edge and take out Arthur’s soldiers. It was Young’s idea to conceal them to lull Arthur into a false sense of victory. They were only going to get a few shots before Merlin could target them. That’s where I fit into Young’s strategy. Once the archers attacked, Arthur’s men would clump together at the center of the canyon and Garix and I could scorch them before the armies even clashed.
I pressed my palms against Garix’s smooth scales. Let’s go. We rose into the sky, the jagged pea
ks of the mountains below. As we approached the canyon, my heart sank. The archers were already down, and the enemy soldiers were beginning to spread as they charged across the flat of the land.
Lower, Garix, I willed. Fire! The pit of my stomach clenched as Garix’s response slammed into me. The color black. No. The wind knocked out my lungs as my mind raced. What? Why? Garix, we need you to save us. Our whole plan depended on this.
Garix lowered us toward the Viran half of the canyon. With one sharp twist of his body, he tossed me from his back. I landed with a crack on the rocky ground. I watched with horror as Garix flew out of the canyon and beyond my reach. Camelot soldiers charged toward us across the way. I reached for my dagger as I scrambled to my feet.
“Charlotte, what happened?” Young said, reaching a hand out to steady me.
I shook my head, my knee stinging from the fall. “Garix won’t kill them. He won’t listen.”
“Get ready,” he said.
Behind Young, Galahad raced toward us, his horse carrying him far ahead of the foot soldiers. If we had any chance of survival, we had to take out the knights first, and quickly. I could see the darkness in Galahad’s eyes and the bloodlust in his wicked grin. My gaze moved to the scarlet red dragon sword raised in his right hand. Young drew his sword and I held my dagger at the ready.
Galahad’s horse bucked as Minseo rode up beside him, leapt from his horse, and knocked him off his saddle. Young and I stood stunned by Minseo’s sudden appearance until we jolted back simultaneously and charged in to help him.
The shuffled dirt from the canyon rose into the air like smoke obscuring my distant view of the battlefield. I’d have to judge the distance of the foot soldiers by sound.
Minseo held Galahad down, his elbow at his throat. Galahad thrashed for his sword which lay just beyond his reach. He jostled, grazing the handle with his fingertips.
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