Knight Hunted (The Return of the Queen Book 1)

by L. A. Grant

  “Does she?” the high priestess sounded amused. I wracked my brain to try to find a comeback, a reason to keep me. They would just throw me out, like everyone else did.

  I had come here to find answers. Maybe a home.

  Home is always a lie.

  “She is Queen Gwenhwyfar,” Lance stepped up. “She is our king’s queen, and therefore one of ours.”

  At his words, the high priestess turned back and examined me more closely. The entire court seemed to hold its breath as its priestess decided my fate. All I could do was look back at her, gathering whatever defiance my heart could muster.

  “Queen Gwenhwyfar and I never met in person,” the high priestess said. “I do not know her, but I assume her knights would.”

  She looked at Percival, who now avoided my gaze. Please acknowledge me, I pleaded as I looked at him. What option would there be? To cast me out? To send me to the monsters? All because some witches decided I wasn’t worthy?

  Because I wasn’t a king?

  My vision began to fold in on me, my fear choking out my senses. I hadn’t been this terrified since I’d been a helpless kid, thrown from shitty family to the next. I’d vowed never to be that helpless again.

  And here I was.

  “We do know our queen,” Percy said, walking in front of me, facing me. He went down to one knee before me, his right hand going up to his heart, his head bowed. The three others joined him. I looked at the tops of their heads, and then up, to the high priestess.

  She looked at them, then at me. The court held its breath, as did I. And then she spoke.

  “Then welcome, Queen Gwenhwyfar. By the treaty linking Avalon and Camelot, you shall be our honored guests.”

  And I could breathe again.

  44

  Arlena

  The court seemed to accept the knights’ decree enough to at least give me shelter, though the high priestess didn’t give me the time of day. I didn’t even care. I was done. Exhausted. A beautiful day on the water had ended cruelly. Percy still acted cold toward me. The witches had almost cast me out. The boys had potentially lied to keep me here.

  “We’ll do a once around the tower,” Percy said, nodding at Lance to follow him. Lance rolled his eyes and turned to me. “Stay in the tower proper. It has protective magics not found elsewhere in Avalon.”

  “I felt some magic when I entered the gate, too,” I said, sitting down on the bed and pulling off my boots. My feet were killing me after all that walking.

  “That’s warding magic,” he said. “Witches have loads of spells.”

  “Lancelot,” Percy said from the corridor. Lance winked at me and slipped out.

  “Will those two ever be okay with each other?” I asked of no one in particular.

  “There’s a lot of history there, so I’m not sure,” Hayden said. Wane stood silent. I switched topics to one where they might be more forthcoming.

  “I thought this was where Arthur had ruled,” I yawned. “I thought you all came from here.”

  “We were born in your world, too,” Hayden said, his voice a rumble that soothed my soul. “And received our calling a few years ago. Your beacon was hidden until the time came for you to return, to keep you safe. We trained here, under Merlin and the witches, to remember our knightly skills to protect King Arthur,” he paused. “Or you. It doesn’t matter.”

  “Doesn’t it?” I asked. “The witches were ready to throw me out.”

  “The high priestess is here to keep Avalon safe,” Wane said, sitting beside me. “Anything outside the expected is worrisome to her. I mean, you’re queen. They’re a coven of powerful women. In the long run, they’ll probably like you better than they ever did Arthur.”

  “And his kingdom?” I asked, returning his smile.

  “Camelot,” he whispered the name, as though it were a holy word. “That place was in our world, but is long gone. The prophecy says that Arthur’s next kingdom would be here, in Avalon.”

  “Why would they welcome a man to lead them? I mean, the high priestess looks like she can take care of herself.”

  Wane and Hayden exchanged a look.

  “What?” I asked, feeling more alert. “Tell me.”

  “We’re not sure,” Hayden said, sitting on my other side. “But we heard pieces of prophecy here and there. That only a ruler from Camelot can save Avalon from a great darkness. This is why we all came back here. This is why Excalibur was kept here.”

  “Did you hear ‘a ruler from Camelot’ or King Arthur, Hayden?”

  He sighed. “King Arthur. I’m sorry. I thought that, maybe…” I took his hand in mine and squeezed it. I loved the warmth of his hand.

  “It’s okay,” I said. “We’ll find your king. Together. I mean, there has to be a reason I’m here, right?”

  “I have no doubt there is,” Wane said, and I took his hand, too. “We’re glad you’re here.”

  The air in the room grew thick with unspoken emotions, and my body flared to life. Sitting between them both, their hands in mine, I just wanted to taste them and for them to taste me. I had no doubt they felt the same. I could feel their need for me coursing through them.

  Before I could act on the impulse, a strange sound caught my attention. I turned to my window, which gave way to the courtyard, and a large winged creature perched there, gray leathery skin tight on thin limbs, large yellow eyes sticking out of its head.

  I yelped and jumped back. Hayden and Wane moved with practiced ease, a bow and arrow appearing in Wane’s hand. Hayden threw open the window and stepped aside. The arrow flew and hit its target, and the creature tumbled down toward the courtyard below.

  “What was that?” I asked, kneeling on the bed.

  “It’s one of the creatures from the wood, a flying fury. They sometimes slip through the wards,” Hayden said, looking down. “It moved, meaning it’s wounded, not dead.” He raised a questioning eyebrow at Wane.

  “It was fluttering a lot,” Wane mumbled. Hayden winked at me.

  “We should go finish it off before someone steps on it accidentally. That won’t endear us to the Lady Elaine.”

  “I’ll go,” Wane said, sounding disgruntled and slightly embarrassed. “I’m the one who didn’t get a clean shot.”

  “Isn’t it dangerous?” I asked, standing, but staying well away from the window.

  “It’s wounded, so it’ll probably be a tad more dangerous,” Wane said, and shrugged. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  “Well, you both go together, then,” I said, and they looked at each other. I sighed. “Look, you said I’d be safe in the tower. I’ll stay in my room. And if I am your queen, you should do what I tell you.”

  Wane laughed, then quickly cleared his throat. “It’s our duty to keep you safe, your majesty.”

  “And you have,” I said gently, cupping his cheek, his beard pleasantly tickling my palm. “Now, go and keep each other safe, and come back to me.”

  The last words were spoken in such a way that left no room for interpretation. Come back to me, and lay with me on the bed. Let me lose myself in you both, and lose yourselves in me, too.

  “If that is your bidding,” Wane browed slightly, sounding out of breath. I grinned.

  “It is. Now go.” He and Hayden bowed again and left quickly, no doubt eager to return.

  45

  Lance

  The halls of Avalon were as quiet as ever, the witches all in bed or dealing with midnight rituals we were not privy to. They weren’t a bad lot. I’d made quite a few friends here, but theirs was a demanding path, which they followed with single-minded purpose.

  Just as I’d once pursued my knighthood, before losing myself in Gwenhwyfar.

  She’d been worth it. She was still worth it.

  Percy patrolled with me, as though he didn’t trust me not to slip away to join Gwenhwyfar.

  Idiot. I wanted to keep her safe as much as anyone else. More so. I glanced sideways at him, his back straight, his silver hair about as subtle as a
cow falling on your head. His loyalty and purpose unquestioned.

  I envied him that part. And maybe the silver hair, too. Made my blond hair look washed out in comparison.

  “You would be loyal to Arthur?” He broke the silence, surprising me. I blinked at him a couple of times and stopped.

  He stopped and looked at me, clenching his jaw in annoyance.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, holding up my hands. “I was surprised that you’d addressed me.”

  “I’m serious,” Percy said. “Would you still be loyal to Arthur?”

  Another joke almost slipped from my lips, but I decided to forego it. He seemed to actually want to know, and not just have me spout off some creed or oath. I’d broken them all anyway, and I’d paid for it by losing my lion form.

  I clenched my hand, remembering the feel of paws on earth, tasting the air, running wild and free, muscles limber and easily moving…yes, I’d paid for breaking my oath. And yes, I regretted losing my lion self. But, truth be told, I didn’t regret anything else. History might blame Gwenhwyfar for the fall of Camelot, but I didn’t.

  I blamed Arthur. Arthur, who had given up.

  I blamed him, yet I still loved him. I loved them both. Which was why I’d returned for that final battle, leaving her side, knowing I’d never see her again.

  Until now.

  “I came back, didn’t I?” I whispered, then shrugged. “Besides, it doesn’t matter. She’s back, he’s not.”

  Percy tensed, and I was surprised he followed with a question instead of a punch.

  “What if your loyalties are tested again?”

  I sighed. “Look, Percy, I don’t know what you want from me. Honestly? I’d try to protect both. Arlena is her own person, and she seems bound to all of us,” I gave him the same cold look he’d been giving me all night. “Even you, Percy.”

  He didn’t bite, weighing my worth. Except I knew that he’d decided I was worthless long ago, and that wouldn’t change no matter what I said.

  “I’m here,” I said. “I came back to the final battle. I was brought back to this life, like you. I answered the call of Avalon when others didn’t. When I had to give up so much. Maybe this is the fresh start we all need.”

  “Maybe,” he said, in yet another surprising twist. Had he just agreed with me? Percival the Noble? Percival the Wolf-Hearted? Percival the Brave? He’d just agreed with me?

  I struggled not to make a joke when he thankfully spoke first.

  “Finish your rounds that way,” he said, indicating the passageway to the left. “I’ll finish that way, and we’ll meet back at the room.”

  Without waiting for my acknowledgement, he turned and walked away.

  Now that was more like the Percy I knew.

  46

  Hayden

  We were moving too quickly down the stairs, enthusiastic to get back to Arlena. When the blow came, we didn’t see it. I watched Wane reach the landing and step out the side entrance to the grand tower, then he seemed surprised. He sidestepped, but not in time to avoid an arrow that cut into his shoulder.

  He went down hard.

  “I thought he’d be dead already,” Mordred said as he stepped in front of me, bowstring pulled taut, arrow nocked. He loosed the arrow but it slammed into an invisible field, splintering harmlessly. I hadn’t yet exited the tower, and so was protected by its magic. “Anyway, thanks for coming out to play.”

  He shrugged, pulled out his sword and struck down, toward Wane.

  I shifted before the blow could hit, my scream turning to a roar as I smashed into him. He writhed under me as he shifted, escaping my grasp. My bear claws couldn’t hold on to his slithering snake form.

  I turned, a lance piercing my shoulder. There were other knights here, all donning black armor.

  Mordred was here.

  I swiped at two of them, ignoring the pain in my shoulder. Wane managed to pull himself up and began picking off as many knights as he could, aiming for the precious few places left exposed by their armor.

  Mordred was in Avalon.

  We had to warn Percy and Lance. And Arlena. Rouse the witches so they could begin defending. A boar slammed into me and pinned me again the wall, its tusks cutting into my sides as I clawed at its eyes. How had they gotten past the magic? Only great magic could…it struck me harder than the boar’s tusks.

  Morgana was here.

  Mordred’s mother, who was once a powerful witch of Avalon, a dangerous foe who’d brought about Camelot’s downfall. The boar backed off, rearing as his face bled, and I roared. Wane stopped a sword strike with his bow.

  Shift! Shift and fly away!

  But my words didn’t reach him, our telepathy blocked by magic. I roared as another attack came, slamming into us, Wane’s eyes wide but determined.

  He wouldn’t fly away, because he wouldn’t abandon me to the horde.

  The destroyer of Camelot was here, and we were helpless to warn the others.

  47

  Percy

  Merlin’s words haunted me as I walked out of the tower and into the courtyard. The scent of roses danced on the air. They’d been a favorite of the queen back in the day, and of Avalon. I wondered if this was where she’d gained her love for the flower. Maybe she’d revoked her claim to magic the day she’d chosen to marry Arthur.

  To support a kingdom, and the man she loved. Yes, she’d loved him, once.

  Your oath will be tested. How could my oath be tested when King Arthur wasn’t here? Would he return, soon? Would I fail him?

  A figure moved from the shadows near a rosebush and I whipped around, sword in hand. I lowered it when I recognized the form of Merlin, the thorns of the rosebush clinging to him as though unwilling to walk forward into Avalon.

  “Merlin,” I asked, surprised to see him there. The wizard wasn’t overly fond of all the people here, and tended to stick to his woods. “What are you doing here?”

  “Arthur can’t return with Gwenhwyfar here,” he said simply, twigs dancing in his beard.

  Your oath will be tested.

  I looked at him, eyes wide, struggling to keep my voice under control. “What would you have me do about that? She’s here, now.”

  “I can remove the queen’s spirit from her,” he said, his voice steadier than I’d ever heard it. “She’ll not remember who she was. Bring the girl back home and she’ll slumber and awaken back in her world. Some things are best not to have happened at all.”

  “Are you sure?” I breathed. I knew the wizard would know best, but I unwilling to let Arlena go. She would forget us. She would forget me.

  She wouldn’t smile at me again, or kiss me, or look at me with that sheer determination…she’d be gone. Forever. And who would she be without Gwenhwyfar? Who was I dooming her to become?

  “Your oath is to your king,” Merlin said, motioning toward the abbey with one withered hand. Excalibur lay there in its stone altar. “He granted you your powers, through me. He made you a knight with his blade. You owe him your purpose, and this life.”

  “I do,” I said, resigned. I would do what was asked of me.

  But never before, not even when I marched to my death centuries ago, had the mantle of being a knight hung so heavy upon my shoulders.

  48

  Arlena

  I jumped at the knock on my door.

  “Who is it?” I asked, my voice a bit shrill.

  “It’s Percy,” the familiar voice said, and I quickly crossed the room and opened the door.

  “Is everything alright?” he asked, looking concerned and tired.

  “It is,” I said, smiling at him. “Hayden and Wane went after a monster that flew outside, but they weren’t worried. Still, I’m glad you’re here,” I wrapped my arms around him, but he didn’t hold me back.

  “Percy,” I said, pulling away. He didn’t meet my eyes. “Look,” I said softly, hoping to somehow reach him. I missed the moments we’d shared together. His pulling away hurt more than I could express. “I know tha
t this isn’t what you’d hoped for, but I promise I’ll do anything I can to help you find Arthur.”

  He looked at me then, tears shining in the silver of his eyes. His hand came up, the back of his fingers gently touching my cheek. When he spoke, it was just a whisper. “Are you sure, Arlena?”

  I looked him straight in the eye. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my entire life.” I stood on my tiptoes, my fingers gripping the back of his neck, and I kissed him. He didn’t hesitate, kissing me back hard. His longing was deep, his tongue filling me, his hands discovering my entire body.

  I wanted him so badly.

  And he wanted me, too. He kissed me even more deeply, closing the door with his foot. He pulled me up, cupping my ass with his hands as he nibbled on my neck, and brought me to the bed. Two candles lit the room, the silver of his eyes and hair capturing every hint of light as he pushed my shirt up and freed my breasts, sucking on one and making me moan.

  I gripped the sheet as he pulled off my pants. His clothes were already gone. Damn, he was good.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said, his words catching in his throat as he lay on top of me, and I shifted my legs to welcome him in. He plunged in without hesitation, his hardness penetrating me easily, I was so wet and ready. I wrapped my arms and legs around him.

  He groaned and pushed in and out, kissing me, my neck, my breasts, his thrusting growing more and more frantic, small gasps escaping me at the ecstasy of his movements.

  My hands slipped from his back to grip the sheets. His hands found mine, and our fingers intertwined. He pushed them over my head as he thrust hard. We both came even harder.

  He collapsed on top of me, our fingers still laced together. His face hid in my neck, as though he was trying to hide from me. I thought he might be crying, even, and I kissed the top of his silver hair gently.