by LH Nicole
The nightmare that haunted her was not something she’d ever shared with anyone, not even the people she was closest to. She looked around the room, trying to distract herself, and her eyes landed on a purple dress and mask hanging next to her vanity. She repressed a groan, just now remembering the art gallery auction she was supposed to go to the next night…well, technically tonight. She wanted to cancel. The event was for her mother’s charity. She had avoided it for the last two years, but this year, Wade and Lacy had steamrolled her into promising to attend. Both of her friends were active in the charity, even more so after Aliana’s parents had died, and she knew they’d never let her out of her promise.
What would she do with all of the guys? She couldn’t see them letting her go off by herself. She’d have to take them with her, and maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. It would be a great way to show Arthur and Galahad more about the modern world, the beauty of modern art, and maybe some of her work that was up for auction.
She still sometimes found it hard to believe that she was an accomplished artist at the age of only eighteen. But she’d been surrounded by art while growing up. Her parents had homeschooled her so they could travel for their work, and she often had to keep herself busy, so she’d taken up photography. It was Wade who had first entered her photos into contests, and after winning a few of them, everything just seemed to click.
Sliding out of bed, Aliana tiptoed out the door, past her cousin sleeping on the couch, and into the kitchen. She wasn’t going to get any more sleep tonight, so she decided to make breakfast for everyone. Making sure the volume was turned down on her portable speakers, Aliana set her iPod to shuffle and hoped the music would help her drown out the sounds from her nightmare.
And it worked, except her thoughts jumped from her personal torture to trying to wrap her head around everything that’d just happened. Can Owen really be a knight? It suits him, but…Her thoughts drifted as she put a tray of biscuits into the oven and hummed along with a Taylor Swift song. It was strange doing something so normal while four ancient knights were sleeping close by—five if she counted Owen. Can it be coincidence that my long-lost cousin is involved in this quest I’ve gotten myself into? She poured a bowl of whipped eggs into a pan. Turning off the heat on the bacon, she picked up the heavy, sizzling pan. As she turned, she saw Galahad in the doorway watching her, his sword at his side.
With a shocked squeak, the pan slipped from her grip, and there was no way she could avoid getting burned. But before the pan fell, Galahad was next to her, his hand closing around hers on the handle of the heavy pan. His sword clanked against the ground where he had been standing only a second ago.
Taking the pan from her hands, he set it down gently on the counter. His bare arms brushed against her and sparks shot through her body like they always did when she touched his skin. Aliana knew her eyes must be huge, and she felt the burn of embarrassment in her cheeks. She was also very aware of how close they were and thought she saw the same kind of awareness in his eyes. But with her boyfriend track record, she wasn’t sure she could trust what her eyes saw.
“Galahad…how did you?” She looked over at the sword lying on the ground and back to him. Opening her mouth to speak, she caught the scent of something burning. “Oh no, my eggs!” Pulling away from him, she grabbed the pan from the stovetop and sighed before scraping the burned mass into the garbage.
Peeking out of the corner of her eye she saw Galahad watching her again, his eyes sweeping over the skin left exposed by the thin straps of her black tank top. Aliana fought the urge to straighten her hair and pull down her shirt to cover the slice of pale skin that showed above her long, purple pajama pants.
But she lost the fight. “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting anyone to be awake,” she said, and his blue eyes rose to her green ones, a half dazed smile on his mouth. “I bet you’re not used to this kind of night clothes, huh?” She cleared her throat and ran a hand over her braid.
“No, I am not.” His eyes flickered down her body before jerking back up. “But I could get used to them.” Aliana grinned. Then he scowled and asked, “You will put on more clothes before the others join us, yes?”
Her eyes narrowed, and she met his question with one of her own. “How long have you been up, and how the heck did you move so damn fast when you grabbed the pan?” Just another odd thing she could add to the huge pile of confusing that had been dumped on her.
“I do not know how I moved so swiftly. But I need to apologize—for something else.”
Her brow furrowed. “What?”
“I believe I broke that strange knob on the door to my room.”
“What do you mean broke?”
Galahad shrugged and went to retrieve his sword. “It ripped off the door when I twisted it,” he said, leaning the blade against the island.
“Oh. It must’ve been loose. I can try to reattach it later.”
Galahad leaned on the counter next to her. “I do not think that is possible.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. After everything we’ve been through, you don’t think I can handle fixing a doorknob?” she asked with an arched brow.
Galahad held up his hands in surrender. “No. That is not what I mean. The knob, as you call it, was…crushed.”
“Come again,” she said, incredulous. There must be more power in those hands than she’d thought. “I guess that’s a problem, isn’t it?” Aliana shook her head. “You never answered my original question. Why are you up so early?”
“I heard noise and thought someone had broken in.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. You can go back to bed. I’ll be quieter.”
Galahad shook his head, walking over to pick up his sword. “I have done nothing but rest for a very long time. I would rather stay and help you if you need my assistance.”
13
I have never felt like this. Everything about this girl fascinates me. Watching her now, singing and cooking, she’s so soft, not the brave girl who had risked herself to save people she thought only part of a story. When she got caught up in the Sidhe’s magic and tried to get me to go with her, I panicked. Me, Sir Galahad, notorious for my calm disposition and ability to remain clearheaded in battles, had fallen under her spell and reacted without thinking. I don’t regret kissing her; I just wish our first hadn’t been to save her life. Yet I am conflicted—why does my connection to Aliana want to overshadow my oath and loyalty to my king? I have always been able to set aside my desire for a woman of my own...before.
~Galahad
“I WAS JUST MAKING BREAKFAST,” Aliana said, pulling out more eggs. “I’m not sure when everyone will be up, but I know y’all will want breakfast.”
“Why are you awake so early, Aliana? We went to sleep but a few hours ago and the sun has not yet started to rise.”
She shrugged. “I guess I’m just still trying to process everything.” Not a total lie.
“Then what can I do to help?” he asked again.
“Um…” Looking around, she spotted the potatoes that still needed to be cut. “I’m guessing you’re pretty handy with a blade, so you can cut the veg for the home fries.”
She grabbed a knife and showed him how she wanted the potatoes and peppers cut. She grabbed more eggs, and they worked shoulder to shoulder.
“What are all these foods?” Galahad motioned to the platters and bowls around them.
“I’m making us a nice, Southern breakfast: bacon, eggs, home fries, biscuits, pancakes, and grits.”
“Is this something you would make with your parents back at home?”
Aliana’s lips pulled into a frown. “Sometimes, on long weekends or a special occasion, but normally I just have a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. It’s a really good cereal, though we can’t get it here,” she explained when he wrinkled his forehead. “If we get back to my home in the States, I’ll let you try some.”
“Do you not miss being at home? You said last night that you have been here for a while.”
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“I haven’t really been home much the last couple of years. There’s always another place I want to go.” She shrugged, hoping he wouldn’t pick up on the slight tremor in her voice.
“So, you haven’t been home since your parents died,” he stated, almost to himself.
“I traveled a lot before…” She was trying to change the subject.
“So you’ve been traveling alone?” he asked carefully enough that Aliana wondered if he was thinking of their conversation in Avalon.
Her frown faded. “My friend Wade joins me when he can, but mostly I travel for my art, so it’s better that I’m on my own.”
“You mentioned him earlier. Who is Wade?” Galahad set his knife down and turned toward Aliana with that same intensity he’d had earlier.
“Wade’s one of my oldest friends, the closest thing I’ve ever had to a brother.”
Galahad took a small breath, dropping his eyes and resuming his cutting. They finished making breakfast, and then Galahad answered her questions about Camelot, telling her about its past and the kinds of people who lived there. The rising sun brightened the kitchen as Aliana stood over the stove, showing Galahad how to make pancakes. She laughed when he burned his first batch of the fluffy treat and again when he scowled after tasting cheesy grits.
“I understand you like that, Aliana,” he said after rinsing his mouth with water, “but I don’t think I can eat those again.”
“There’s plenty of other good food to eat,” she assured him, still giggling as she covered the food to keep it warm and started brewing a fresh pot of coffee.
Owen stumbled in, pulling on his Radiohead T-shirt from the night before. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, grabbing a coffee mug from the cabinet.
“Good morning.” Aliana smiled at his sleepy glare. Before Galahad could say anything, she said, “Owen’s not a morning person. Best not to talk to him till he’s had his first cup of coffee.”
“Ali, you need to stop being so bloody cheerful in the mornings!” Owen mumbled, pouring his coffee and taking a sip.
“Don’t call me Ali,” she said, throwing a piece of strawberry at her smart-ass cousin and nailing him right between the eyes.
Unfazed, he took a bite of a cheddar biscuit. “You Yanks sure do one thing right across the pond. What were you two doing up so early anyway?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” Aliana and Galahad said together. Owen eyed them, shrugging, and filled his plate before taking a seat. Galahad followed suit, filling his own plate and joining Owen at the table.
Smiling, Aliana went back to drying the last of the dishes.
“Leave that for later,” Owen said. “Get your plate and join us. You need to eat if you’re going to keep operating on only a few hours of sleep a night. Gotta keep your energy up somehow.”
“Geez, Owen, you’re as bad as Wade and my friend Dawn. I’m fine, and don’t call me Ali or I’ll cut off your biscuit and coffee supply.”
Galahad looked between them, studying her for a long moment. She glanced down, hoping he wouldn’t notice the shadows under her eyes. Setting the last dish aside, she filled a plate for herself and leaned against the countertop as she ate.
A few moments later, Percy, Lancelot, and Arthur walked into the kitchen, smiling broadly. “What smells so good?” Arthur asked.
“Are those grits and home fries I see?” Percy asked. He filled a large plate and bit into a biscuit.
“I thought we could all use a good breakfast.” She smiled as Percy finished the biscuit in two bites.
“Thank you,” Lancelot said, sitting down next to Arthur, digging into his eggs.
“We should be leaving soon,” Lancelot said. “We need to get to my home and make our plans for finding Merlin, Gawain, and Leyon.” Lancelot dabbed the corner of his mouth with his napkin.
Aliana hid her smile, imagining him in the eighteenth century—the picture of perfect properness. Her phone chirped from the next room, and Dagg flew into the kitchen, carrying it. “Shut the damn thing off, Aliana! It won’t stop making that incessant sound.” He dropped it into her open hand.
Shaking her head, she scrolled through all the frantic texts her friend Lacy had sent just this morning. Excusing herself, she dialed her stressed-out friend.
“Lia, thank gawd it’s you! I’ve been worried sick! You were supposed to call me yesterday morning and let me know you got the dress!” Lacy babbled. “Tell me it got to you in one piece. Not that I don’t trust my brother, but you know Wade. Please tell me you’re still coming!”
“Calm down, Lace. I got the dress and it’s beautiful. You really outdid yourself! And, yes, I’m coming. I made you and Wade a promise, so I’ll be there.” She glanced back at the kitchen and caught Arthur’s eye as he grabbed the last of the pancakes.
Lacy sighed heavily over the phone. “Good, now I only have, like, a bazillion more problems to handle before the party tonight.”
“Lace, the gallery party is going to go great! You’re brilliant at these things. Tonight’s going to be epic. I know it.”
“Thanks, Lia, I’m just really glad you’re going to be there. I haven’t seen you in almost a week.”
“I know, Lace. Speaking of the party, I’m going to need to add a few guests to my reservation.”
Aliana heard her friend’s surprised gasp. “Really? Who and how many?”
“Four more plus Owen. It’s a long story but I can fill you in later.”
“Are these four all men?” Lacy asked slyly. “Are they hot?”
Aliana bit back her giggle, looking back toward the kitchen. She couldn’t resist teasing her friend. “I guess,” she said nonchalantly.
“Not fair! Okay, I’ve added them to the list. I expect y’all here at seven p.m. sharp. Any later and I’m calling in the National Guard.”
“I think that only works in the States, Lace.” Aliana rolled her eyes.
“You above all people should know how persuasive I can be, Lia,” Lacy chided, laughing.
“Oh, I remember! The only times I ever got into trouble was whenever you had one of your ‘brilliant’ ideas.”
“Exactly! Okay then, I gotta go. The florist is here. I’ll see you at seven sharp.” Lacy hung up before Aliana could say goodbye.
Walking back into the kitchen, she found Dagg perched next to her plate, happily eating the last of her breakfast. “Hey, you moocher, get your own food!” Everyone laughed as she swatted the Dragon away. All he left her with was a half-eaten pancake.
“Now that we are all fed, we should be going,” Lancelot said, rinsing off his plate and surprising Aliana that he’d be so domestic.
“That’s cool,” Aliana said, “but there’s some place I need to be tonight. Well, actually, we all need to be.”
“Oh, right, your mum’s fundraising party,” Owen said.
“Aliana, it’s too dangerous,” Lancelot said immediately.
“Relax, Lancelot. The party is at a crowded hotel in the middle of London. No chance of attack there. Besides, this is for my mother, so I have to be there.”
“What charity?” Percy cut Lancelot off before he could argue more.
“My mother started a charity over ten years ago to award scholarships for students in need to study all forms of art.”
Arthur and Galahad frowned, confused. “I’ll explain it later,” Percy told them.
“Besides, I already promised my friends I would be there. I won’t back out on my promise.” She fisted her hands on her hips, squaring off with Lancelot.
The stubborn knight looked over her shoulder to Arthur. Aliana peeked at the king, seeing Arthur nod his head.
Halfheartedly, Lancelot said, “Okay, but we have to be very careful, and you will have one of us with you at all times.”
Aliana smiled. “Great, thanks. Owen already has a tux, but we’ll need to get some for the four of you, plus masks. It was Lacy’s idea to make it a masquerade theme, and she’ll flip if it doesn’t go right.”
“I
will handle that,” Lancelot said. “Percy and I have tuxes and we can have two more sent over for you and Galahad, Sire.” Lancelot and Owen agreed to go get the suits while the others stayed with Aliana.
She glanced at her watch and saw that it was almost eleven a.m. “I need to finish cleaning up, and then I need to start getting ready for the party. Is there anything the three of you want to do in the meantime?”
“We can clean up for you,” Galahad offered. “Maybe you could get more sleep before tonight.”
“No need, I got plenty of sleep,” she lied, hoping Galahad wouldn’t push the subject. She didn’t need any more fiery dreams today.
He scowled at her, seeming like he wanted to say more, but nodded. Arthur watched their exchange, veiled interest in his golden gaze.
“Maybe Percy can explain some more things to y’all.”
“Sure,” Percy said quickly. All through breakfast, he’d been glancing between the two legends, clearly anxious to get to know them better. “Lance mentioned several things he wanted to fill you both in on.” He seemed to make an effort to sound blasé, but he still looked like a kid about to open presents.
Almost reluctantly, Galahad and Arthur left the kitchen behind Percy. Galahad glanced back to Aliana, and she couldn’t stop the flush that spread across her cheeks.
“You shouldn’t lie, Aliana,” Dagg said when the boys were out of hearing range. “You didn’t sleep for more than three hours last night, and you spent most of that tossing and turning.”
“You were asleep when I got up, so how would you know?”
“We are connected through the magic of the prophecy. I can feel what you feel when I want to, and you will soon be able to do the same with me when we train you how to use your magic.”
Aliana abruptly set down the pot in her hand. “What? I can’t…” she started but stopped, remembering everything in Avalon and the power she’d used to awaken Arthur. “I can still use magic?”
“Yes. When we find Merlin, he and I will train you so you can defend yourself with it.”
Aliana just stared at him, completely lost for words.