by LH Nicole
The girl squealed in delight. “I’ve always wanted to be a model!”
“Then it’s a date, but first I should get in there before the water gets cold.”
“Of course. I’ll make you a plate for dinner.” The Pixie fled and the door closed behind her.
“Unbelievable,” Aliana laughed, laying her clothes on the bench next to a fluffy white robe. She sank into the tub. The water tingled, tickling her skin. She inhaled the fresh floral scent and something else she couldn’t describe. It kind of smelled like Deidre’s valley, but not quite the same.
She thought about how much everything in her life had changed in only a matter of days. A small part of her still thought this could all be a dream, but she also knew she couldn’t have dreamed up all of this. She drifted off to sleep, not waking until Flora knocked on the side of the tub.
“Sorry to wake you, but I didn’t think you wanted to spend the night in there.” Flora grinned like she had a secret, turning her back as Aliana got out of the tub and wrapped herself in the soft robe.
“Whatever is in that Pixie dust of yours is amazing! I feel better than I have in weeks.”
“I can bring you a small bottle if you want,” Flora offered.
“Thanks, but I don’t want you getting into trouble, Flora.”
The Pixie shrugged. “Just let me know if you want some more. I can bring you a pinch or two.”
“What time is it?” Aliana asked, slipping on fresh clothes.
“It’s almost nine. You’ve been asleep for almost two hours.” Aliana looked at Flora unbelievingly. “Don’t worry. Your food is being heated for you right now. I should also tell you the really tall, hot guy, Galahad, has been asking about you, like, every ten minutes.”
Aliana flushed bright pink.
The Pixie giggled in delight. “I love having a mortal girl around!” She zoomed out of the room, giggling the whole way.
Aliana finished dressing and made her way to the kitchen, waving at Percy, Lancelot, Owen, and Wade when she passed the media room. Her stomach growled loudly as she walked into the kitchen, and she salivated at the smell of hot chicken and a distinct wintery scent. Galahad sat at the counter next to a plate piled with Parmesan-crusted chicken and vegetable risotto.
“Hey.” Her green eyes met his and she thought of the last time they’d been alone in a kitchen.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked as she took a seat, passing a glass of rose-colored wine to her.
“I am. I didn’t realize how much magic drains a person.” She took a bite of the juicy chicken and a sip of the wine, surprised by its sweet taste. “Wow, that tasted just like fruit punch!”
“What is fruit punch?” Galahad asked.
“It’s just a blend of fruit juices. I’ll see if Merlin can get you some.”
“I’d like that,” he said, taking a drink of ale from his pint.
Taking another bite of risotto, Aliana wondered if Galahad would bring up their kiss, half dreading the idea of talking about it. But as she finished her dinner, he only asked questions about modern devices. Apparently Wade had tried to show him how to use a cell phone. Aliana tried to hide her laugh when he told her about almost crushing it. But why didn’t he ask her about the kiss? Was he regretting it, like he had when he’d kissed her for the first time to free her from the Sidhe? Disappointment soared in her chest, and a very small part of her was starting to regret the mind-blowing kiss. Both of them.
“Good. You’re here.”
The pair turned to see Dagg and Wade enter the kitchen. Dagg jumped from the knight’s shoulder to the counter.
“You look better,” the Dragon said, sniffing at the small bit of risotto still on Aliana’s plate.
“Thanks?”
“What I think he means is, we’re glad to see you looking more like yourself again.” Wade wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a half hug.
“Don’t you dare!” Aliana warned Dagg when he tried to eat the last of her dinner. Pouting, he backed away.
“So what were you kids chatting about?” Wade asked, leaning against the counter.
“Galahad nearly breaking your phone,” Aliana said, taking another sip of her wine. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Galahad frown. “Don’t worry,” she said, patting his hand. “Wade has broken his phone so many times that people have started to refuse to give him a new one.”
Galahad smiled at Wade’s glare.
“Not nice, Aliana. The rest of us are going outside. Apparently the Pixies have set up a nighttime obstacle course for us. Care to make a wager on who wins?” Wade winked at Aliana.
“Sure, I bet on Galahad,” she said and smiled at her best friend’s look of disbelief.
“Then win I shall,” Galahad vowed, standing.
“You’re not so tough,” Wade joked. “I’ll take your bet, Lia. The usual wager?”
She nodded. “Have fun boys!”
“You are not joining us?” Galahad stopped in the doorway, glancing back at her.
She shook her head. “No, I need to ask Dagg a few questions and I have some stuff I need to get done.” She smiled at him as she put her dishes in the sink and ran water over them.
“Come on, G,” Wade said, pulling her knight toward the backyard.
“What do you want to know?” Dagg asked once they were alone.
“Why did the magic exhaust me?”
“I have a suspicion, but until we test you further, I will keep my theories to myself.”
“Come on, Dagg!” Why is he holding out on me?
“The truth is, you are nothing like either of us have ever seen before. I am not sure how to compare you to others.”
“How am I different?”
“The way your powers react to your emotions, how you described the summoning spell and waking King Arthur, and your lack of natural shields. It’s all unheard of.” Dagg frowned. “You were born to complete a purpose, and that apparently has changed much in your handling of magic.”
“So, I’m a freak.” She looked away, not wanting Dagg to see her misery. Why was she always being told she wasn’t like everyone else?
“Our bond allows me to feel your emotions, Aliana,” Dagg reminded her a bit reluctantly.
Aliana couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t correct her for calling herself a freak.
“You do not wish for me to know them, but they are there for me to feel.”
“Well, stop peeking then!” Her anger flared. “What I feel is my business, not yours or Merlin’s or anyone else’s!” She moved to leave the kitchen, but Dagg flew into her escape path.
“Merlin and I both agree that you need to learn how to create shields in tomorrow’s lessons. That will solve many problems.”
“Great, now get out of my way. I still have to process all the pictures I took in Avalon.” She side-stepped the Dragon and fled to her room, grateful that he didn’t try to follow her.
She threw herself onto her bed, opening her laptop and pulling up her photos of Avalon. But she couldn’t focus as she scrolled through. With a frustrated growl, she flipped onto her back, throwing a pillow over face. Her temper was starting to fade, but the hurt remained. “Why can’t a single one of them see me as more than their stupid Destined One?” She threw the pillow at the window with a huff.
Sulking wasn’t going to do her any good, so she grabbed her iPhone and earbuds and decided to explore Merlin’s home instead, thinking she needed the distraction. She wandered through the halls, studying the paintings and artifacts that lined the wood-paneled walls. Everything about the place screamed old English sophistication and money. She could almost imagine she was back in the fifteenth century as she wandered past the sitting room toward a wing of the house Merlin hadn’t shown them. Most of the doors there were locked, but a light shined toward the end of the hall.
She peeked inside the lit room, surprised to see Arthur sitting on the floor, leaning against an antique couch. It was one of the few pieces of furniture in th
e nearly empty room. He rested his arm on his bent leg and stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows. The wall opposite him was covered in mirrors, making the room look like it was outside rather than inside.
“Arthur, are you okay?” She hesitated in the doorway.
His gaze twisted around to find hers, and he smiled, morphing his hard expression into a something much more striking. “Aliana, I did not expect to see you here. I was just thinking.”
“I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’ll go.” She turned to leave.
“No,” he said quickly, causing her to turn back. “Your company is always welcome.”
Biting back a smile, she closed the door, joining him against the couch. “I thought you would be out with the others.”
“I was, but I wanted time to think.”
“I can understand that.” She set her iPhone down between them.
“Lancelot was showing me that yesterday, but what are those things?” He pointed to the earbuds.
“They let me listen to music without anyone else hearing it.”
“Can you show me?”
She turned on her music and held the earbud up to his ear.
Arthur smiled brightly. “Outstanding,” he said, nodding his head along with the Hunter Hayes song.
“Yeah, it is pretty cool.” She smiled, shutting off the music. He handed her the earbuds. “Would you tell me about Camelot?”
“Camelot was the greatest kingdom in Albion,” Arthur said, his eyes glittering like gold. “My father and grandfather built it from the scraps left behind when the Empire fled back to Rome. We were the envy of the other kingdoms. Our people had plentiful food, good homes, and bustling trade.” He smiled, his gaze seeming to travel to the distant past.
“You miss it. I can’t blame you.”
“Yes, but I can’t help thinking of all the lives lost because I failed.” He glanced down, gripping his wrist. The twinkle in his eyes faded.
“Arthur, you can’t think that! You couldn’t have known what Mordrid had planned.”
“I was king. My people’s safety rested with me. It was my duty to protect them.” His voice was firm and angry. His hand gripped his wrist so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
“Don’t blame yourself,” Aliana said softly, placing her hand on his. “Your people couldn’t have asked for any more from their king. You served them honorably. And if it will help, think of defeating Mordrid this time as recompense and justice for your people and your kingdom.”
His hand relaxed under hers as he let out a breath. “I hope that will be enough. I want to avenge my people.”
19
I beat the others on the obstacle course, just like I promised Aliana I would. Dagg and I joked with Owen and Percy about their landing in the mud pit—it is good to laugh with them again, like we did in Camelot. At first it was difficult to reconcile my brothers with these new friends before me, but we are slowly rebuilding the bond we all shared once. I look around, hoping to see Aliana, but she’s not here. Neither is Arthur.
~Galahad
“SO, WERE YOU MARRIED after you broke from Guinevere?” Aliana asked after a short silence.
“No. Not for lack of effort on my father’s behalf.” He laughed softly. “He was furious when I broke my engagement. Only my mother had been able to temper his wrath. But he made it his mission to find another union for me.”
“Surely you had women who were interested in you.” Aliana wasn’t sure why she was pushing, but she wanted to know.
“Many, I’m afraid.” He told her about a few of the noble women and princesses who had been paraded in front of him. Aliana laughed when he spoke of two ladies who had shredded each other’s clothes in jealousy. One princess had even gone as far as to accuse another lady of theft just to get her away from Arthur.
“Wow, Arthur, you seem to have had some bad luck with women!” Aliana joked.
“How did Lancelot put it? I’m a glutton for punishment.” Arthur gave a small chuckle as he looked out at the forest surrounding Merlin’s home. “Every woman who came along wanted only my title and money. They didn’t care for my people or me. Even the few who I tried to care for only managed to keep my attention for a couple days. I had watched Lancelot and Guinevere fall in love, as well as my other knights, but I was never free to find that same love.”
For just a moment, Aliana caught a flash of sadness before it fell away, hidden behind the controlled mask he wore like a shield. But she caught the faint sound of his sigh. Gently, she laid her hand on his muscular arm, left bare by his T-shirt, and softly rubbed slow circles on his skin with her thumb. Though he’d been a sixth century warrior, only a few faded scars marred his skin. Aliana wondered about how they’d gotten there. Looking back up, she caught him staring at her hand.
His golden brown eyes lifted to meet her green ones, boring into them like he was trying to see into her very soul.
Embarrassed that she’d been caught staring, she glanced away, pulling her hand from his arm. But Arthur’s hand quickly covered hers, holding it to him, and Aliana’s eyes jumped back to his face, surprised. For several long moments they just gazed into each other’s eyes.
Arthur finally broke the silence. “There are times when I feel there may have been someone in my life, but I have no memory of her. Just ghosts of a thought, a feeling of rightness and love, but I can’t remember such a woman in my life,” he whispered in a tortured voice.
“How could you feel what you do but not remember the woman who inspired those feelings?” Her voice was gentle and sad.
“I…when you awoke me in that cave…” He let out a hard breath and shook his head. “I do not know.”
Aliana looked out the window at the dark forest. She could almost feel Arthur’s frustration and loneliness. She remembered his comments about the sadness of the song they’d danced to at the party and understood how well he must have related to it.
He didn’t deserve to have those feelings. She wanted to see him smile. “This is my favorite part of the day,” she said. “During the summer, Papa would take me and my mother out to the beach behind our house, and we would have midnight picnics.” Aliana smiled. Those memories were priceless for her. “One night we saw a pod of dolphins just off the shore, playing and leaping out of the water. I thought it was the most magical thing I’d ever seen. My papa told me the story of Atlantis and how dolphins were supposed to be one of the creatures guarding the gates to the sunken kingdom.” She laughed, remembering how her mother nearly had a heart attack when Aliana started running toward the water to join the magical creatures. “My mother lectured me for a half hour about the dangers of being in the ocean after dark before my father started laughing at us.”
“I envy you,” Arthur admitted, a bit of heartbreak leaking into his words. “All my life I was trained to fight and protect. The lessons and stories I was told were all to teach me how to rule and how to be the strongest warrior. There is nothing I would not have sacrificed to share what you had with your father.”
“It couldn’t have been that bad, Arthur. You were surrounded by friends.”
“It was not the same. The men here were the only ones I called friends. Even then, I only shared parts of myself with Merlin, Galahad, and Gawain. I trusted them, but back then there were many things that were not talked about.”
Aliana frowned. “That couldn’t have been easy.” God knew keeping her own feelings bottled up for so long was starting to tear at her.
“I never knew any different. It was normal for us.” Arthur shook his head. He leaned back against the couch, and the pair sat in pleasant silence for a few moments. “Aliana, would you consider teaching me more of your dances?”
Surprised by the abrupt change in subject, Aliana’s brows shot up. “Sure, but why do you want to know?”
“You seem to enjoy it. I figure something that makes you smile so brightly must be worth the effort.”
She looked away, smiling through her blush, and nodded. What w
as she supposed to say to that?
While they pushed the couch back, she suggested they start with the waltz. She demonstrated the basics of the dance, showing Arthur proper posture, arm placement, and the steps, giggling when a turn or a step would trip him up—it was so unusual that he didn’t pick it up immediately. They spent the next hour laughing and practicing, and by the end of the hour, Arthur had the basic motions down.
“Will you meet me tomorrow night?” he asked, walking her to her room. “I would like to continue with our dance lessons.” He paused for a brief moment before continuing. “I find your company very enjoyable, and I would like to know more about you.”
Aliana’s face heated. “Sure. I like hanging out with you too.”
“Good night, Aliana,” Arthur said, taking her hand in his and brushing a kiss across her knuckles.
“G-G-Good night, Arthur,” she said with a stammer. Stepping into her room, she felt the dumb smile on her face. Just like she’d thought, Arthur was already becoming a close friend.
“Glad to see you’re back,” Dagg said from the edge of her bed, jolting her out of her haze. “I’m sorry about earlier, Aliana. I should have found a better way to explain your magic.”
Aliana stared, astounded by his apology. “Thanks, Dagg, but you weren’t the only one at fault. I’m sorry for going off on you. I overreacted.”
He smiled and she smiled back. “I think we can both agree to put this behind us.”
Aliana nodded, disappearing into the bathroom.
“You should get some rest,” he said when she emerged. “We have a lot of training to do and you need to practice with the others to sharpen your fighting skills.”
And that’s how the next two weeks went. They’d have breakfast at sunrise, then Wade and the others would work with Aliana on her fighting skills, teaching her how to handle a bow and staff. She’d flat out refused to touch a sword. When she was a child, she’d come across one of her papa’s men cleaning the blood of a slaughtered boar from a blade. She’d hated bladed weapons ever since. All of the guys, even Galahad, had objected to this hole in her training, but she eventually won the argument.