by LH Nicole
“What’s wrong?”
Lying to Dagg clearly wasn’t going to do her any good. “I’m still trying to get used to everything, and I’m a little nervous about tonight.”
“What about tonight worries you?”
“It’s not really worry,” Aliana said as she scrubbed the last dish dry. “I…haven’t been to one of these parties since my parents died. Tonight will be the first time they’re not there with me.”
“I understand. Dragons are very loyal to their clans. When one of us is gone, we all feel the loss.”
“It must have been horrible to be trapped in that cage for so long.” She scratched the little Dragon behind his ears.
“What was harder was not being able to search for you. It has been my only purpose since my creation. If I had been free, perhaps I could have found you sooner.”
Aliana couldn’t let herself think about what might have been different if he had. “We should go find the guys,” she said, putting away the last dish.
“I can hear them in Galahad’s room. They are saying something about…a broken door handle,” Dagg said, confused.
Aliana left the kitchen with the Dragon on her shoulder and headed toward the guys.
“I don’t know how it happened. It came off right in my hand,” Galahad said.
“Could it be because of the magic you were trapped in?” Aliana asked, surprising the trio.
Galahad looked up, embarrassed, holding the crushed handle in his hand. Why did she find that so…cute?
“Don’t worry, Galahad. I’m not mad about the broken door knob,” she assured him. “I’m just trying to figure out this new strength and that burst of speed earlier in the kitchen.”
“What?” Arthur asked.
Galahad quickly filled them in.
“Perhaps Aliana is right,” Arthur said, stroking his chin. “Lancelot said he had new abilities when he left Avalon—that the magic there had affected him. Being trapped in a magic crystal has to have changed you, Galahad.”
“Why don’t you guys go up to the roof and test your theory,” Aliana suggested. “It’s private, and Wade and I have a practice area set up that you can use.”
Following her to the roof, the three men looked around at the amazing view of the modern city while Aliana unrolled her sparring mat and pulled out some clean towels from a small storage closet. They decided to let Percy be the first to test Galahad’s new talents.
The two men circled each other, and then Galahad just moved. Suddenly, he was behind Percy with the big man trapped in a headlock and falling to his knees. Percy tried to break the hold, but nothing he tried worked. Reluctantly, he tapped Galahad’s arm to be released.
“Hot damn, that was amazing!” Percy said, taking a few deep breaths and pulling himself up with Galahad’s offered hand. “Your grip was like iron! I could barely move.”
“How about you, Arthur?” Aliana suggested. “Let’s see if the magic that trapped you had the same effect.”
Several minutes later, it was clear that Arthur hadn’t developed the same abilities, but he did seem to have a way of predicting Galahad’s moves. Maybe that was because the two had fought together for so long. Then Arthur went against Percy, proving that just because he couldn’t beat Galahad didn’t mean he couldn’t fight. He managed to defeat Percy three times with an impressive and aggressive style. The guys continued changing partners, testing each other and testing the limits of Galahad’s and Arthur’s abilities.
“Damn,” Aliana muttered, looking down at her watch.
“What’s wrong?” Galahad asked as he and the others came to her side.
“I need to start getting ready for tonight.”
Percy laid a hand on Arthur’s shoulder and gave him his first lesson about modern girls. “Women need excessive amounts of time to get ready for these things. It takes them hours to get it together.”
Rolling her eyes, Aliana turned to Dagg. “You stay here with the guys.”
The Dragon shook his head. “You are my charge. I’m supposed to stay by your side.”
“Maybe when we’re in a dangerous situation, but not while we’re home. Besides, you remember my rules. You disappear when I’m getting changed.”
Grudgingly, Dagg agreed, but he still had the last word. “You can’t keep shutting people out,” he said softly so the others couldn’t hear. “Burdens are meant to be shared, not bottled up inside.”
“I’m just getting ready for a party, Dagg.” She wasn’t shutting people out; she just didn’t want an audience. And besides, what was wrong with not wanting to drag others into her problems?
Locking her bedroom door, Aliana hooked up her iPod, blasting pop music while she took a quick shower and then got to work on her hair. Swaying with the music, she wrapped her long locks into hot curlers. By the time she finished, it was nearly three o’clock and she was starving. Wrapping a scarf around her head, she made her way to the kitchen, thinking the boys would still be up on the roof. Instead, she found the three warriors and her Dragon gathered around the kitchen island, eating cold sandwiches.
“I hope you guys saved some for me,” she teased.
“Already have one ready for ya, darlin’,” Percy said, pulling another sandwich from the refrigerator.
Standing next to Dagg, Aliana happily dove into her sandwich and their conversation. They had tested the limits of Galahad’s strength and speed only to find that it was nearly limitless. They’d also discovered that Arthur was able to consistently predict his opponents’ attacks. Percy even commented on how quickly the king had learned some new fighting moves.
“So, we have brains and brawn,” Aliana said, finishing her sandwich. “Lancelot said last night that he’d become skilled at tracking magical signatures. Was he always a good tracker?”
Arthur nodded, smiling, as he picked up on her line of thought. “You’re thinking that our new abilities are an extension of the skills we already had?”
“Yep.” Aliana looked over at Galahad. “Were you always faster and stronger than the others?”
“Speed and strength were always my strongest abilities, and Lancelot could track a snow flake in a snow storm,” Galahad answered.
“And I was always better with strategies and planning,” Arthur added.
“Not to mention you could convince almost everyone to do whatever you asked of them,” Lancelot threw in as he and Owen joined the group. “But why are we talking about this?”
“Galahad and I have discovered some interesting abilities, and we think the magic from Avalon could have enhanced the skills we already had,” Arthur answered, studying the suits the raven-haired knight laid across the kitchen table.
“What abilities?” Lancelot’s brow furrowed. Minutes later, they were all heading out of the kitchen and back to the roof.
“Just make sure y’all are ready by six. We can’t be late for the party,” Aliana called after them.
“Tell the others I’ll be up in moment,” Galahad said to Dagg after the others left.
The Dragon studied the pair, closing the door and leaving Aliana and her knight alone in the apartment. Her heart raced as he crossed the room to her side. Being alone with Galahad could prove dangerous to her heart.
“Are those your parents?” he asked, nodding at a picture just over her shoulder.
Aliana knew without looking which picture he was asking about. “Yeah.” She turned to stare at the photo. “I took that six years ago at their anniversary party in New York.”
The image was a beautiful one, taken at a rooftop restaurant in the city. Her mother’s auburn hair glowed with the sun’s setting light as she gazed up at her husband’s hazel eyes. Her mother was stunning with her olive complexion, high cheekbones, and curvy body. Her dad had short black hair peppered with gray, a rounded face, and nearly gray eyes. The pair’s hands were cupped together, holding a beautiful oval box almost the size of her mother’s palm with a smaller, heart-shaped lid at the center.
“My
dad gave her that music box for their anniversary. The heart flipped open and played their wedding song.” Aliana had watched them dance to the soft music.
“They look happy together.” Galahad’s eyes seemed to drink in the detail of the picture. “You can see how much they were in love.”
“They were everything to each other. I always hoped that one day I’d find someone to care about me that way,” she said, accidentally letting the secret hope slip. “That probably sounds stupid to you.” Her eyes darted around, looking everywhere but at Galahad.
“I do not think it a stupid hope.” Galahad’s words were soft as he drew closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She smiled as she breathed in his wintery scent. “Thank you.” She finally looked up at him. They stood still for a moment, his face so close she thought he might kiss her again. Her stomached flip-flopped, but she stepped back. “I need to finish getting ready,” she said, her voice breathy, and escaped back into her room, leaning against the now closed door.
14
Sparring with Arthur and Galahad is damn cool, much more than I ever imagined. Already I feel a connection with them. But I can’t help noticing the way they both watch Aliana. They’re different when she’s not around. Their sparring becomes more aggressive, like they’re trying to prove something between them. Is this what they were like in Camelot? I wish I had my memories of that time. Lance is pissed at Aliana about this party tonight, though I think he’s overreacting. But that’s typical Lancelot.
~Percy
PRESSING PLAY ON HER MUSIC, Aliana pulled a stool into the bathroom and began the annoying task of styling her hair. She pulled the sides of her curly brown locks back and held them in place with small, glittering pins, letting a mass of hair fall down her back. A bottle of hair spray and an hour and a half later, she left the bathroom and pulled on the dress Lacy had made for her. There were three things Lacy had a passion for in life: fashion, parties, and boys.
Lacy was gifted with designing but not so much at subtlety. This dress had clearly been designed for ballroom dancing in a beautiful shade of lavender with sheer, glittery netting over the soft material. Its petal skirt fell just above her knees. Multiple strings were attached to the front of the dress by large, silver rings. Carefully, Aliana pulled the strings over her shoulders to lace them through the two loops on the back V of the dress. She was still struggling to get the darned things laced properly when claws scraped against her door.
“Can I come in?” Dagg called through the door.
Aliana wanted to tell him no but remembered his words from earlier. She opened the door, determined to show him that he had been wrong. She just wanted privacy, not to shut people out.
“Good timing,” she said, closing the door behind him. “I need another pair of hands to lace up my dress. Or claws, as the case seems to be.”
Laughing, Dagg laced the strings. Aliana let out a yelp when he tried to pull them too tight.
“What are you doing, Dagg?” She snatched the strings from his claws, loosening the dress.
“Is the dress not to pull together? Women do not show so much of their body.”
“Dagg…” Aliana laughed as she sat down at her vanity. “Fashion has changed a lot in the last few decades. This dress is going to be prudish compared to what some of the other women will be wearing.”
“I can’t wait to see this,” the Dragon said, his mouth curving up.
“You can’t come tonight. Dragons are only in fairy-tale stories here. There’s no way you could fly around the event and not cause a panic.”
“I thought of that already.” The Dragon crawled onto her vanity. “Magic makes many things possible.” He shrank down to less than half his normal size. His flared wings curved back and his eyes turned into amethyst jewels. His entire body had hardened into a solid silver cuff bracelet.
“Now I can be with you and not cause a panic.”
Aliana stared, half fascinated and half freaked out. It was almost too crazy to see an inanimate object move its mouth. “Unbelievable,” she whispered, picking him up and stroking his curved wings. “This doesn’t hurt you?”
The Dragon changed back instantly. “No, not at all.”
“Wow.”
“Indeed, but I do believe it’s almost six.”
Aliana shrieked, seeing she only had thirty minutes left to do her makeup. “Damn.” She grabbed her eye shadow brush and set to work.
Twenty minutes later, Dagg announced, “Sire, gentlemen, I do believe Aliana is ready.”
Aliana fidgeted nervously for a second, readjusting a tie on her strappy silver kitten heels, before stepping into the main room. She couldn’t help gawking at the guys as she saw them all together. She had never been particularly fond of tuxes, but every single one of them looked like he had stepped off the cover of GQ. Arthur and Percy both wore charcoal tuxedos. Arthur’s was paired with a red button shirt and Percy’s with silver. Galahad and Lancelot had on black tuxes, with Galahad in a deep green shirt and Lancelot in royal blue. Owen stood out the most in a white tuxedo and black shirt.
How could she compare with them? For a moment, she felt so out of her league she wanted to run back into her room and hide. The guys stared at her, and she panicked. She hated being the center of attention. Then her eyes met Arthur’s golden brown gaze and she started to relax.
“You are more beautiful than words can say,” the king said, stepping forward and taking her hand, kissing it gently.
The last of her nerves slipped away. “Thank you, Arthur.”
“You’re going to be the hit of the party, Aliana!” Owen said with a cheerful smile on his face.
“Thanks, Owen, but I think you five are going to be getting all the attention. All of you look amazing.” Her eyes fell on Galahad.
Dagg cleared his throat, and she held out a hand. The Dragon landed on her wrist, shrinking and hardening himself into his bracelet form.
“It’s so he can go with us and not cause trouble,” she explained.
As if he’d been doing it his whole life, Galahad helped Aliana into her coat. His hands rested on her shoulders for a moment before sliding slowly down her arms. She glanced at him as she picked up her clutch, which held her mask. She wondered if his mind was going back to the Sidhe’s keep like hers was. The masked ball tonight almost seemed like it was a do-over for her and Galahad. Except this time they got to wear fancy clothes and she would finally get to dance with him without the threat of the evil Sidhe hanging over their heads.
“Lacy will have masks for all of you at the hotel,” Aliana told them, checking for the bags of clothes and personal items she’d set out earlier since they’d be going to Lancelot’s after the party.
“I already put your things in the car, Aliana,” Percy said.
“Thanks.” She smiled at the hot giant. God, the women aren’t going to know what to do with themselves.
“And before you say it, yes, I know you’re driving, Lancelot.”
The others laughed at the unamused stare said knight leveled at Aliana. They all piled into the large vehicle with Owen and Aliana in the back seat, and Arthur and Galahad in the middle row. They’d offered Aliana shotgun, but she’d declined it to Percy. As they made their way through London, her stomach flipped-flopped. Whether it was because of the party or Arthur and Galahad, she wasn’t sure. But sooner than she would have liked, Lancelot pulled up to the brightly lit, chic hotel.
She caught both Galahad and Arthur staring at her again as she texted Lacy that they’d arrived. A secret part of her loved the way they kept looking at her—like they were seeing her as a girl and not the key to their prophecy. Lancelot tossed the keys to the valet, and Galahad and Arthur each took one of her hands, helping her out of the tall SUV.
“Thank God you made it!”
Aliana glanced past the two to see her blond friend all but running to them. Lacy was fashionable as ever in a princess pink, Marilyn Monroe-style dress and white gladiator wedge
s. Her short hair was in a spiked pixie style.
Stepping past the guys, Aliana met Lacy halfway. Both girls giggled as they hugged. “Where did you find those sexy specimens of male figures?” Lacy whispered, looping her arm through Aliana’s. “I call dibs on the tall one!”
“Lacy!” Aliana shushed her friend, unable to stop giggling. “They can hear you!”
“And your point?” she said saucily.
Aliana shook her head and said, “You know Owen.”
“Nice to see you again, Lacy,” Owen said.
“You too.” Lacy looked him up and down. “I do love a Brit in a tux.”
Owen laughed as Aliana introduced the others. “Lacy, this is Lancelot, Galahad, Arthur, and Percy.” Aliana smirked as her friend’s blue eyes kept going back to Percy. She and her friend shared a weakness for tall guys with broad shoulders.
“Nice to meet y’all,” Lacy said. Flashing her frosted pink smile at Percy, her eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, Arthur, Galahad, and Lancelot?” She eyed the three skeptically before looking at Aliana. “Lia, what did you do, go rob a fairy-tale book without inviting me?”
“Of course not! I would never do such a thing without consulting you first.” Aliana winked at the guys.
Lacy smiled as Aliana tried to keep a serious face. “It’s time to head up,” Lacy said, checking her cell phone. “The party kicks off in thirty minutes and we need to get masks for your fairy-tale friends over here. Which reminds me, where is your mask, Lia?”
“Right here,” Aliana said, holding up her purse as they took the posh elevator up to the top floor.
“Here we go,” Lacy said, ushering them down a bright hall. She grabbed a box from a young girl who gawked at the guys and pulled out several cat-eye masks for them to choose from.
Arthur, of course, grabbed the golden one, then Galahad grabbed the white, and Percy took the silver while Lancelot picked the blue, leaving the black for Owen.
“Perfect! Y’all look the part of the handsome, mysterious gentlemen. I love the silver, Percy,” Lacy said, handing Aliana’s coat to the girl who still couldn’t take her eyes away from the guys. “Now, if you’ll all excuse us, Lia and I need a moment of girl time.” Without waiting, Lacy dragged Aliana down the hall and into the ladies room.