by Amy Marie
Gwen looked at him and absently patted the couch. His eyebrows rose again. She grinned. Lance came towards the couch and very gingerly lowered himself. She didn’t blame him really; all the squeaking it made didn’t inspire confidence that is wasn’t going to collapse with their weight.
“So, you want to start at the beginning?”
Chapter 7
Lance
Lance looked wary. At no point during any of his hundreds of years had he given any thought to what he would say, if and when he finally met his precious treasure. He had been ready to give up but couldn’t fight the question anymore. Allowing Gwen to perish at the hands of an unstable sorcerer rested upon his shoulders. Merlin had predicted centuries ago how the two would meet.
“I’m very old,” Lance began, then stopped. Shit. Where the hell did that come from?” It sounded like one of those evil proclamations from a Karlos Borloff Monstermadhouse show.”
He saw the immediate twitch of Gwen’s upper lip at his words. The subtle smile told him she was trying not to laugh. He stood and began to pace. Something he often did when trying to figure out a solution to a problem. Yeah, he was better when he was walking.
“Well you don’t look a day older than twenty to me, but as we’ve already addressed my eyes played tricks on me earlier. They could be doing the same with accessing your age.”
Damn that dimple I noticed earlier is back. Lance sighed. “Look, this is going to sound really strange!”
“Like as in Henry Cavill in The Witcher? Chasing around medieval time beasts?” She waived a hand when he drew a blank at the reference.
Lance took a deep breath in. “Have you heard of Merlin?”
“So, what part did you not hear earlier? Me telling you about my dad and his research on Arthurian Times? Or that I was named after King Arthur’s wife?” Her increasing impatience came through loud and clear.
“What if I told you it was all real?”
She raised a bewildered eye to meet his. “My dad spent thirty plus years trying to prove just that, and no one ever believed him. Ultimately it cost him his career. I still don’t see how that has anything to do with what happened this evening.” She peered at him., looking worried. “Are you sure you didn’t hit your head when I kicked you to the ground? Because…”
Before she could finish Lance blurted out, “Fate would have us meeting today. Just like the ancient written folklore said.”
Lance’s cell phone rang. He snagged it from his pocket quickly. It was the constant peeling ring his friend Gawain had put on all their phones as an emergency. Lance answered immediately.
“Lance, you have to get her out of there. Danger is headed your way, brother. Morgan le Fay and her Crocottas followed you and Rene’. I’ve intervened and killed another Crocotta, there is no telling how many more she has at her disposal.”
“Understood, call the others.” Lance hung up the phone. He looked over at Gwen and said. “You have five minutes to pack whatever belongings that are special to you. You know. The things you can’t live without. We won’t be coming back.”
Gwen stood, arm crossed in front of her, with an alarmed look on her face. “What?”
“We don’t have time to argue, Gwen, that thing that attacked you in the alley, he sent out a signal just before I killed him. More of them are on their way here now.”
“But…” Gwen looked hurriedly around her apartment. “Five minutes huh?”
“Four now. I mean it. Any longer and I’ll put you over my shoulder and carry you out kicking and screaming.” Gwen paled. Lance drew a breath, ready for another pointless argument, but she just nodded stiffly and ran to the closet, pulled out a reusable bag and ran over to the bookshelf and grabbed several books of the leather-bound books.
Lance frowned. “Clothes?”
Gwen was frantic, trying to stuff as many books in the bag as she could. “I don’t care about clothes. These books were my dad’s. They mean more than anything to me.” Lance took the small battered old leather-bound books from her. “I’ve got these. Go get some clothes. Between the two of us we can carry these things. Be sure to grab your phone charger. Not sure if we’re stopping for a while.”
A tremendous explosion rocked the building and the floor seemed to shake. “Hurry Gwen we have no time to waste.” Gwen gasped.
“That’s it… out!” Lance grabbed Gwen’s arm and ran towards the door. He nearly pulled it off its hinges from the force as he flung it open. Screams and shouts sounded outside.
Lance held tightly onto Gwen’s hand as they descended the stairs.
“Mrs. Emory?” Gwen shouted above the noise and chaos. “Craig may not be out.” Every word was threaded with fear.
“The best way you can look after her is by getting out of here. They’re looking for you and will not stop until they’ve hurt all of your friends.” Lance said urgently.
They both came to an abrupt stop as they stepped out of the building and onto the sidewalk. A wave of heat washed over them. Both starred at what most likely was the cause of the explosion. Gwen’s Mustang was in a blaze of fire. Black plumes of smoke rose from the fiery rubble.
“My car!” Gwen yelled. Flames raged in anger. Gwen bent over, coughing as she inhaled a deep breath of smoke, filling up her lungs. Rene’ ran up to them and threw a set of keys at Lance.
“Go we’ve got this. Get her to safety, I’ll be in touch once this mess is cleaned up.” Lance picked up Gwen around her waist and carried her off in the direction of the Hummer.
Bewildered and in shock, Gwen didn’t budge in Lance’s arms. They crossed the street and as soon as they did, they heard Crocotta screams from behind a brick structure. An eerie high-pitched squeal broke through the roar and chaos from across the street.
The tell-tale shimmer in front of the car door alerted Lance, and he only had enough time to thrust Gwen out of his arms. And pushed her behind him. He withdrew his sword from underneath his cloak.
Lance looked around and spotted Rene’ fighting a Crocotta.
“Stay behind me,” he shouted. He threw the keys at Gwen. As his sword crashed into the ugly beast’s sword.
Each time he encountered the ugly beast he knew his time was almost up before the cops arrived. Every second counted. Lance fought as he’d never fought before not only was the intent to kill. He desperately needed to turn the creature away from Gwen so she could get inside the Hummer.
The Crocotta was trying to block Lance, refusing to turn his body. He deliberately aimed for the legs because the Crocotta was expecting him to come for its heart. The Crocotta stumbled as Lance slashed below his knee, lowering its head as it bent over.
Immediately, Lance altered the trajectory of his sword and thrust at the Crocottas head. Piercing one eye, black viscous liquid gushed out. Piercing streams came from the creature as it raised his hands to protect its face, giving him just the advantage he needed. Both hands on the hilt, Lance pushed his whole-body weight behind the silver tip that pierced the creatures’ heart. As he dispatched it, he heard shouts and running.
Rene’ was just wiping his sword while Gawain and Peter were heading towards them.
“Lordship?”
Lance ignored the men shout. He was on his knees instantly and placed his arms around Gwen’s shaking body. She was currently curled up on the ground in a ball crying.
Two firetrucks and a police car appeared at the bottom of the street. They had to get out of here.
“I’ve got you,” he said. “They’re gone, you’re safe. He wrapped his coat around her trembling body and stood up holding her close to his chest. She clung to as a child clung to his mother.
Lance gestured to Peter and looked over at Rene’. “I’m taking her home. You drive, Rene’.” The sirens were deafening. People were still mulling around in front of the apartments.
“Peter, give the cops a story that Gwen is going to stay with a friend, and she’ll deal with her Insurance tomorrow.”
Peter had an interesting talent. He didn’t
speak much, but when he did, people were convinced of anything he said. Gwen was in no shape to be seen or talked to by the police tonight. He needed to shield her.
Lance eased himself and Gwen in the backseat as Rene’ picked up the keys that were on the ground next to her scattered books.
“Bring those, too. Lance gestured towards the pavement. Rene’ scooped up everything and placed the books back in the bag. He ran around to the driver’s door and hopped in behind the wheel.
Lance worried as they drove from the scene. The Crocotta had never gone for an inanimate object before. Buildings had been destroyed in the past but that was only because they were in the way. That had almost seemed… Calculating.
Green eyes peered up at him as he smoothed a stray black curl off her forehead. A tense sigh eased out of her tight lips.
“You’re safe, I won’t let anyone harm you.” He pulled her closer into his chest, holding her until her breathing finally slowed. That was too close. I almost lost her for good.
“Where are you taking me?” Gwen asked in a sleepy voice.
“I’m taking you to the place in your father books where there is talk of a magical, mystical castle. I’m taking you home. To Camelot.”
The End
I hope you enjoyed the first adventure of how Gwen and Lancelot found each other. This is only the beginning of their magical and mystical times.
I was super excited when asked to write a Fractured Fairy Tale for SASS#2020. As many of you know, I’m an adult erotic romance author. However, I was asked to step out of my comfort zone and write a YA story.
This segment will be published first with SASS, and once I get the rights back, I will be re-releasing this story, along with 5 more adventures of Gwen and Lance. So, stay tuned for their destiny.
Thanks
Abigail. XOXO
About Abigail Lee Justice
Abigail Lee Justice writes emotional, erotic, romantic suspense that includes a BDSM theme. She creates strong characters who seem real but are flawed in some ways; some couples Happily Ever After will be a work in process. Some characters’ problems are just too steamy to fix in one book.
Born and raised in Baltimore City by two wonderful, supportive, loving parents, as a child Abigail made up vivid tales in her head. Until one day, a friend told her instead of keeping her stories locked her head she needed to put them on paper and that’s exactly what she did.
Abigail met her husband thirty years ago on a blind date (thanks Dan C.) while working a part time job to put herself through college. She fell madly in love with her Prince Charming and has been since the first day they met.
By day, Abigail practices medicine in a busy Cardiologist practice. By evening, she switches her white coat for more relaxed comfortable clothing. She has two wonderful adult sons and a very spoiled chocolate lab. In the wee hours of the night, she writes BDSM romances. In her spare time, when not working or writing, Abigail enjoys reading, concocting vegetarian dishes, scuba diving, high adventure activities, living in the lifestyles she writes about, and doing lots and lots of research, making sure her characters get it just right. If you’d like to become part of Abigail’s street team or become a beta reader for future books, drop her a message on FB @abigailleejustice or visit her website @ www.abigailleejustice.com
Other books by Abigail Lee Justice
Bound by her Master: Book 1 in The Heart Series.
Sophie Spencer is a happily married, twenty-nine year old cardiologist. Suddenly her world is shattered to pieces. The love of her life, her only love, is taken from her in a devastating car accident. Stricken with grief, depression, and loneliness for the past two years, Sophie takes the advice of a close friend to venture down a new path – exploring the inner sides of submission. Not knowing what it truly means to submit, Sophie indulges her desires by visiting a prominent BDSM club on her own. Could she fully submit to another man’s will, or was the bond that she shared with her husband unbreakable? That’s the question Sophie must come to terms with.
Kyle Zeller is one hundred percent Alpha male. He owns a high end BDSM club, but has not been in a serious relationship for over a year. Serious skeletons that are buried deep in the back of Kyle’s mind keeps holding him back from making a true commitment, which is until Sophie Spencer walks into the Cellar. Kyle see’s for the first time in his life the person he’s been looking for, she standing in front of him. He already knows everything about Sophie’s past, including her desires to submit. Will Kyle’s past resurface and shatter this potential relationship too?
Second Chances: Book 2 in the Heart Series
Knowing that happily-ever-afters only happen in fairy tales, Sophie Spencer spends an amazing night with her Prince Charming. Being new to the lifestyle, she allows her hidden fears to take over and does the unthinkable. She screams her safe-word…and runs directly into danger. Will her moment of weakness cause her world to be torn apart again? Or will she overcome her trust issues and fully surrender to her Prince.
Falling in love had been the furthest thing from Kyle Zellar’s mind, but when Sophie Spencer fully submits to his dominant demands, his only recourse is to claim her as his. Before he can claim her, he is forced to let her go.
Fighting his inner demons and past issues of childhood abandonment, he knows he must sort out his own life before he can move on with his future.
But will it be too little too late?
Taming His Submissive: Book 3 in the Heart Series
Sexy Alpha Photographer meets Bratty Journalist
When spoiled, mischievous, “full of moxie” Piper Zellar graduates from the prestigious John Hopkins University with a journalism degree, she’s given the chance of a lifetime from her new employer. Travel the eastern coastline and write a vacationer's guide. She has spent her life hiding behind a wild child attitude to mask a terrible personal hurt from her childhood, but she has no idea how her life is about to change.
William Jones is a Dom who can make submissives weak in the knees with just his commands. Although he has been assigned as Piper's travel photographer, Billy is also on a journey of his own. He sees something in Piper no one else has seen before. Her true submissive side.
Piper can sense there’s more to Billy than meets the eye. Soon she’ll find that she’s developed feelings for her Dom…but does he share those same feelings, or is she just his toy until their job is over.
Author’s note: This is the third book in The Heart Series, and NOT a standalone. You, of course, can read them in any order you like, but I would recommend you read Bound By Her Master first and then Second Chances.
Now Available as a collection in the Heart Series boxed set.
Theirs To Love: Book 1 Doms of Crave County
One curvy, redheaded attorney; two sexy twins. Sometimes you must face your demons head on… Determined to forget a dark secret in her past, Charlotte Maxwell left home when she turned eighteen, immersed herself in textbooks, and eventually launched a successful career as a prominent New York attorney. Isolating herself from family, friends and co-workers, she allows depression, fear, and most of all sexual tension to build up inside her, mind, body, and soul.
Eight years later, she's forced to return to her hometown of Crave County, where everyone lives some sort of kinky lifestyle, her parents being amongst the many. Tasked with adjudicating her parents’ estate after their unfortunate deaths, Charlotte’s hidden demons begin to resurface and along with her attraction for two of the hottest businessmen ever to steam up a room.
Mackenzie and Dillon Ryder were born and raised in Crave County. Practicing what the town preaches has always been a part of who they are. Despite their mutual cravings for the feisty redhead, they have always considered Charlotte Maxwell off limits. These two sexual dominates have been searching for their missing puzzle piece since high school. No submissive has come close to completing their circle, not until Charlotte needs them to rescue her. Not only is she the answer they've been looking for, but she too has be
en secretly pining for them. Will fate bring these three together, or will their insecurities separate them for good?
Ours To Love: Book 2 Doms of Crave County
One curvy, blonde waitress; One sexy chef; One hot restaurant manager. Together they make a recipe for love!
Gloria Jean Fitzpatrick carries a dark horse not only etched within her mind, but branded on her skin as a permanent reminder of the abuse she has suffered. After ending a three year long abusive D/s relationship, she believes her days of submission are over.
Heart broken, wounded, and alone, she devotes her waking hours to taking care of her disabled brother, working crazy shifts at the local diner, and over indulging in life’s finest pleasures, sweets.
Carefully guarding her heart, Gloria watches as her two closest male friends continue to dominate other submissives. Dreaming of much more than friendship, she makes the hardest decision of her life, but will her hidden demons hold her back?
Greg and Curtis O’Malley are no strangers to the art of domination and have been dominating willing submissives together for years. Life for these two sexy cousins has surely had its ups and downs. Dishing up savory meals at Maxwell Diner is only one of Greg O’Malley special gifts, his other… dominating a willing submissive.
Escaping the big city to manage Maxwell Diner was a life changing move for Curtis O’Malley. Now his quest to find the perfect submissive to complete his and George’s nexus may finally be over, but will Gloria’s past come back to haunt their happiness?
The Doms of Crave County series contains mature themes including heart pounding action, suspense, graphic violence, and a lot of steamy hot sex with multiple partners.