by L. H. Nicole
His eyes met and held hers before she could tear them away. Her heart raced like a dragonfly’s wings and her mind screamed at her to look away. Another arrow of distress shot up her spine and she quickly broke away and motioned for the girls to show her the way to her room.
She could feel the emotions she had been working so hard to deny. The proverbial dam was close to breaking. The sooner she got to a room, and the girls left, the sooner she could have her impending breakdown.
Later when the heavy door to her room closed behind the three girls, Aliana was barely able to make it to the small wooden chair beside the tiny fireplace before her legs collapsed and the tears started to flow.
In a matter of twelve hours she had gone from seeing Mordrid torture Morgana to the point beyond endurance; making a bargain with the devil—a devil she ended up kissing—to watching him be sucked into a black void; Titania sending her to Camelot, almost fifteen hundred years in the past without any clear indication of what she was to do; finding out Merlin knew she was from the future; meeting all her friends and while they were similar, they weren’t her knights; meeting two girls, who both seemed friendly, loving and wonderful, who were supposed to die; and she’d met the girl who haunted the dreams of the man she was falling in love with.
She didn’t even want to think about Arthur and Galahad. But she couldn’t stop recalling the way they both had looked at her with open interest.
And she was lying to all of them. How was she going to survive all this?
“Aliana?” Dagg’s voice floated into her mind.
“Dagg?” She lifted her head, her tear-filled eyes landing on the small snake-like Dragon flying through the open window next to her bed. She rushed to him, almost knocking the chair over as she got up. The Dragon met her halfway, a look of panic on his long angled face. She snatched her guardian up in a tight hug, his front claws wrapping around her neck as his wings curled around her hunched shoulders.
She started sobbing harder, sinking to the cold stone floor.
“Aliana, please tell me what’s wrong!”
His worry broke through the fog, but Aliana couldn’t get her throat to unlock to answer her friend. She did something she swore she wouldn’t do again. She dropped her shields, exposing most of her memories and feelings and thoughts to him.
A thin streak of purple smoke started to flow through her, soothing her ragged emotions and injured heart enough that she was able to take a full breath instead of coughing sobs.
It was several minutes later when Dagg had seen almost everything and she was able to rebuild her shields and speak with her raw voice. “What am I going to do, Dagg?”
The Dragon pulled back, his claws gently cupping her cheeks. “We will tackle one problem at a time, together, as a team. You are not alone in this.”
“But what about…” She couldn’t say their names, afraid that she would break down again.
“We cannot change what has happened.” Aliana thought that the Dragon was talking about more than just her heart’s issues with Galahad and Arthur.
“You mean Guinevere and Sophvira?”
He nodded sadly. “Their fate is out of our hands. We can only do what we were sent here to do and hope we get home in time.” His marble-scaled face tightened. “But I think there is something you need to tell me now.”
Aliana felt her face go pale.
“Something you and Merlin have been hiding.”
Aliana’s heart kicked. She knew exactly what he meant. “The scroll.”
Dagg jumped from her arms to the floor. “Why did you keep this from me?”
Hands twisted together, she answered, “I was scared what you and everyone would do. You know how the guys would have reacted!”
Dagg actually growled at her. “And you didn’t tell me, why?”
Aliana threw up her hands in frustration, her emotions zinging around inside her. “What was I supposed to say? According to a stupid piece of paper, from that ridiculous iron-box-of-death, the only way the Destined One can defeat Mordrid for good is to sacrifice herself?” She shook her head, sucking in air. “You know you would have told the guys and they would have gone bat shit crazy.”
The Dragon didn’t deny the accusation. He just stood there on the pale stone floor, disappointment pouring from him.
Aliana fought the return of her tears. “It feels so hopeless, Dagg! Like I have no control over anything anymore!”
“I am your guardian! More than that I am your friend. If you can’t trust me or our friends—no, our family—then we have already lost this war.”
Aliana shoved both hands in her hair trying to quell her guilt. “I know, but it’s not that easy! I hate the thought of lying and keeping this from everyone, but it seemed like the best decision at the time.”
Dagg growled again. “How did you convince Merlin to stay quiet?”
Pulling her hands from her messed up braid she looked at her right palm. “I convinced him to make a magical promise to not say anything.”
“And you promised—” Dagg paused like he was remembering what he saw “—that you would not intentionally place your life in harm’s way.”
Aliana’s shoulders slumped, her braid slipping over her shoulder.
“And that’s the real reason you couldn’t leave the house before Merlin sealed it when the knights went to confront Mordrid.”
Aliana shrugged. “Now you know.” As hard as it was for Dagg to know, not having to hide it from him felt like a burden being lifted from her stressed and ravaged soul.
Dagg’s stiff posture relaxed. “There’s nothing to be done about it now. But you know you’ll have to tell the others when we get home.”
Aliana ran a finger over the nearly invisible brand around her wrist. Everything was so out of control.
“It only feels that way because you’re letting your emotions take over. You must bring them back under control, just like when you are using your magic.”
She let out a loud heavy breath. He was right, as always. “You’re a little know-it-all, you know that right?”
Dagg grinned. “Don’t think I won’t remind you of it when you try to argue with me.”
She giggled and got to her feet. Her pack was on the bed, covered with heavy blankets and two pillows that looked like they were stuffed with feathers or maybe something a little firmer. The room she was in was nice, with a tall dresser for clothes and even a small table with a bench and a mirror made of a brightly polished oval of metal. On a smaller table by her bed was a bowl filed with clean water and a cloth lying next to it.
“You must have made quite the impression to have Arthur giving you such an extravagant room.”
She flicked the teasing Dragon and tilted her bag upside down, its contents spilling out onto the bed. Considering that Titania had sent her the bag—after doing who knows what to it—it was hardly surprising when three beautiful dresses, several smaller pouches that rattled and clanged, and a pair of boots hit the bed.
She had secretly hoped her camera would be one of the items tucked into her bag, but much to her dismay, it was absent. It’s for the better I suppose. That would definitely give me away.
She grabbed one of the two leather pouches and pulled the flap up. It was filled with gold and silver coins and even a few precious stones. “How nice of her to be sure I had money to survive with.”
Dagg fixed her with an exasperated look and opened the other pouch. It had a small round tin and three very small chopstick-like pieces of wood and iron. He grabbed the tin and removed the cap, sniffing the contents. “It’s a magic-based ink.” He sounded almost awed by that fact.
“Spell it out for me, Dragon boy.”
He didn’t even glare at her this time. “It can be used to reveal hidden messages.”
“Spying and passing covert messages old school style, fantastic. Who am I supposed to get secret instructions from?”
“Aliana,” he admonished sharply.
Her lips pulled to the side, pouting. “Sorry
, but why couldn’t she put something useful in here—like a blasted clue as to what the heck I need to find that will lead me to the Grail in our time! Or how about some slight hint as to this crazy mystery task!”
“Calm down. Being hysterical won’t help us.” He jumped up and wrapped himself around her shoulders. “For now I think it’s logical to try to find out whatever we can about the Grail. Maybe then we can figure out what this Grail item is. We also need to remember, the eclipse Mordrid needs to take over our world happens every fifteen hundred years.”
“That means there should be one happening here soon, if it hasn’t already happened.” Aliana leaned against the footboard of the bed. She stroked one hand down Dagg’s leathery wing. “Who would be the best person to ask? Merlin?”
Dagg’s chest rumbled. “Yes. But we should take care with how we phrase it. Just to be safe and not give away any knowledge of our future.”
Aliana rubbed at her swollen eyes with her palm. “If I’m going to attend dinner, I need to clean myself up.”
Dagg jumped into the air, hovering. The water in the bowl was cool and refreshing as she splashed it on her heated and splotchy face. She rubbed her wet hands over her neck and shoulders, wishing she could have a nice long soak in her tub at home. “How do people take baths in this time?” she asked, patting her face and neck with the surprisingly soft cloth.
“I believe they used the bath houses like the Romans used to. I’d suggest you ask Delphina. She will be the least likely to think it an odd question.”
Aliana sat on the bed, surprised again when she sank a little into a softness she hadn’t expected. Dagg started putting everything but her dresses back into the pack. “What do you think about her?”
Dagg opened his mouth to reply, but froze, his head twisting suddenly toward the doors. “She is coming.”
Aliana shot off the bed as Dagg instantly shrank and hardened into his bracelet form. As she secured him around her wrist a light knock sounded at her door.
“Lady Aliana?” Delphina’s soft voice floated in as she pushed the door open a fraction.
“Delphina? What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping to speak with you for a moment before we join the others for dinner.”
Aliana motioned her in, not sure what to say. “What did you want to speak to me about?”
Delphina stepped in closing the door. “I wanted to know if Titania sent you to see the progress of my quest here in Camelot.”
Aliana frowned, her brows pulling together. What did that mean?
As if she heard her silent question, she answered. “My quest to build a lasting and beneficial union with King Arthur and Camelot.”
That makes sense. But something didn’t quite feel right. “In what way?”
“In any way possible.”
The simple answer worried Aliana. She had put enough together from her interactions with Titania, as well as the things Mordrid and Morgana had hinted at, and all the things the guys had shared with her about the queen’s deeds. Had she sent Delphina to enchant Arthur and marry him?
The thought of Arthur being deceived by a girl she knew he cared about deeply infuriated her. Even if the King Arthur here wasn’t her Arthur, she still refused to let him be hurt in such a way.
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Dagg counseled.
Clearing her throat, Aliana shook her head. “No, that’s not why I am here. Titania wishes me to find something here, and an object that will help me and my friends on another quest.”
The Fae nodded, her curly apricot hair bouncing. “I will gladly assist you in any way I can.” The sincerity in the offer caught her off guard. Maybe her rash assumption was wrong. “We should go. They will be waiting for us by now.”
Aliana followed her out the doors, noticing the guards that were stationed at the top of the stairs and the few servants that made their way through the long hall. “How many others are in this part of the castle?”
“Both Galahad and Sophvira have rooms in this side of the castle, and Arthur’s royal chambers are just down that hall.” She pointed to their left as they stopped at the first step. “There are a few others, members of Arthur’s council, but you will not notice them.”
They started down the stairs. “Okay.” Great, she was between Arthur and Galahad again! Why did the universe keep playing this cruel joke on her?
They entered the throne room again and saw everyone gathered around either the table or the fire pit.
“I’m glad you joined us, my lady,” Arthur said, coming to the girls’ side. “Is your room to your liking?”
“It’s wonderful, thank you. Much more than I could’ve ever expected.”
Arthur grinned and held out his hand. With a quick glance to Delphina—whose face was carefully neutral—she took it and let him lead her to the table.
The table was set with plain looking plates and metal goblets, jugs of wine, platters of roasted meats, vegetables, nuts and fruits. The others all gathered around, a smiling Guinevere between Lancelot and Leyon, then Owaine. Sophvira was seated on Lancelot’s other side with Galahad between her and Delphina—who was seated on Arthur’s left side. Aliana was on the golden king’s right, Merlin on her other side next to an empty seat. Gawain and Percival took the last two places.
They all waited to take their seats until Arthur sat. When he did they all followed, Aliana wondering whom the empty seat was for. She couldn’t think about whom else would have a place at this table.
Maybe Merlin’s lover? Aliana gasped at the recognition.
The doors creaked open. In walked Morgana, her long curled hair laced with thin braids and a few small flowers. She wore a blue dress similar in fashion to what Aliana and the other girls wore with accents of gray. Her hazel eyes went to Merlin’s immediately and she smiled so brilliantly it was like being struck with lightning. Aliana couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The blond girl who had murdered her parents, tried to kill her and her friends and even sided against her cousin, the king, looked as fresh and joyful as a summer day at the beach.
Morgana approached the table, stopping long enough to curtsy to Arthur and moved to her seat next to her Druid lover.
“We were worried you wouldn’t return from the market in time, Morgana,” Arthur said in way of a greeting.
“My apologies, sire. I got tied up helping a woman home.”
Really? There was no way this was the same power-hungry-vixen-witch that had made her life, and that of her knights and family, so miserable and dangerous.
“We do not know when she turned to the side of evil, Aliana. She may well be sincere at this time.” Dagg’s words rubbed her the wrong way, but he was right. None of the guys knew when or why she had started to betray them.
5
The memory hit like a hundred arrows. But it was a pain I’d happily endure again. I thought I was going crazy at first, remembering Aliana in Camelot, Merlin introducing her. Even then she had captivated me, in the first glance. It was not her understated beauty, but the spirit in her emerald eyes and a feel about her that called to the deepest part of my soul. It felt like, for the first time in ages, I was whole again. That something I had never realized was missing was within arm’s reach. Then Wade and Owen said they had the same memories return. Something very dangerous is at play here. But I must maintain absolute control. For her.
~Galahad
ALIANA SWALLOWED DOWN HER DISBELIEF, deciding that she would have to keep an eye on Morgana and try to solve this mystery. She felt Morgana’s eyes on her.
“And who are you?” she asked, a friendly curiosity in her voice.
“This is Lady Aliana,” Merlin told her. “She is visiting with me for a while.”
Aliana swore she could see a small spark of jealousy flash in those eyes she was used to seeing filled with hate and cunning. “My family knew Merlin’s when we were children.”
Morgana seemed satisfied with her answer and sat back, taking a sip from her goblet.
>
Aliana looked around the table. All the knights and Arthur were wearing their Pendragon cuffs, unintentionally shown off as they started grabbing meat and vegetables and chatting among themselves. Aliana filled her own plate, her stomach grumbling at the scent of the roasted duck and pork. A servant ladled some thick soup into a small bowl for her. It was strange to eat with her fingers and the small, but sharp knife that was set out, but the fork wouldn’t be invented for another thousand years or so.
She mostly ate in silence, enjoying the sight of the knights and the women interacting together. Percival, Leyon, Owaine and Gawain were engaged in a loud discussion of which weapons were better suited for close combat, each guy telling what had to be exaggerated stories of glorious fights, with Lancelot playing the referee. Guinevere was carrying on a conversation with Sophvira. It was almost like she cared for the girl as a mother would her child. It was easy to imagine that Sophvira was the most cared for among them. Poor girl, Galahad was probably the most overbearing, protective brother in the history of the world.
Her eyes landed on the knight which her thoughts couldn’t seem to escape. He was leaning into Delphina, seemingly involved in the conversation she was having with Arthur, but she caught his eye when he glanced across to her. He was intense and inviting; Aliana looked away, spooning a little of the soup into her mouth to distract herself. She caught Sophvira staring at her from the corner of her eye and felt heat rush to her cheeks.
“Why don’t you tell us more about yourself, Lady Aliana?” Morgana’s pleasant invitation caught her off guard.
“There’s not much to tell really.” She didn’t want to have to tell any more lies than she already had.
“Nonsense,” the Sorceress said with laughing denial. “Merlin said you traveled here, but you came alone?”
Already asked and answered, she wanted to say, but held it back. “I did, yes. I’ve actually spent most of my life traveling from place to place with my parents.” Okay, so that wasn’t a lie. Maybe this wouldn’t be so hard after all.
“But they didn’t accompany you here?” Guinevere asked, confused. It wasn’t normal for women to travel alone in this time.