Would his kisses taste as good as his brother’s?
Elizabeth pushed away from him instead of leaning in to find out, “Has anyone ever scolded you on sneaking around the castle at this hour?”
Galahad released her. “Nay My Lady. Not when it is my place to be here.” He crossed his arms. “Why are you wandering about when you have strict orders to stay in your room?”
Elizabeth pulled her cloak tighter warding off the sudden chill invading the air. She leaned back against the wall. “I was going to the battlements for fresh air.”
“Aye? Mayhap you should check your direction. From what I see, you are headed the wrong way. Or have your chambers moved?” The corner of his mouth twitched. Elizabeth longed to slap the emerging smile off his face, but her hand still stung from the one she landed on Christian’s cheek.
“You are not my personal guard.”
“Nay, I am not. My brother, however, is and you were coming from his chamber. Why is that, Lady Elizabeth?” His eyes narrowed.
Elizabeth lifted her chin. “I was told of your fight and went to see for myself that he was in good health.”
Galahad braced his hands on the wall on either side of her head, trapping her. He leaned in close, the scent of soap and leather seduced her. “And was he?” As he spoke she smelled the ale thick on his breath.
“Aye, he was.”
“Then why were you not returning to your chamber?”
He was so close now she felt the damp curl of his hair on her cheek. Elizabeth released her cloak and framed his face with her hands. Her thumbs gently caressed the bruises left by Christian. “I came looking for you, to see if you were also well.”
“Aye?” His lips brushed hers.
“Aye.”
“And do I seem well to you?” He continued his feathery kisses across her lips.
“Aye, you do.” She pulled him to her, deepening the kiss, searching for the same connection she felt with Christian. Sadly, while Galahad’s kisses were sweet and loving, they did not ignite her soul the way Christian’s did. All she got from him was an empty feeling and the taste of ale. Elizabeth sighed against his lips and pulled away gently. “For that I am glad.”
He frowned and stepped back, releasing her. “Glad. ‘Tis all I get? You are glad I am well.”
A hurt look ghosted across his features in the dim torch light. Elizabeth’s heart broke. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him any pain. The fact remained, his kiss did nothing for her. “I should return to my chamber before my maid awakens.”
Galahad’s features hardened and he offered her his arm. “Aye My Lady, ‘tis for the best if you did.”
She wrapped her fingers around the crook of his arm. Giving one last glance down the darkened hall toward Christian’s room, she fell into step beside him. An uncomfortable silence hung between them. He stopped in front of her door. Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak. He raised his hand to stop her.
“Lady Elizabeth, please do not insult my honor by apologizing. There is naught to say lest it is good night.”
Her heart fell. “My Lord, please”
“That is all I wish to say on the matter, Lady Elizabeth. Let us leave it at that.” He unlatched the door, holding it wide for her to pass through. Once she was on the other side, he spared her a cold glare. “Good night, Lady Elizabeth. This time please stay in your own bed.” Without giving her a chance to respond, he closed the door and was gone.
~ ~ ~ ~
The sun had barely risen over the horizon when the pounding started on his door. Lance rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. The scent of fresh cut heather hit him. He clutched the pillow inhaling deeply, remembering how the scent got there. Lance still felt the soft curve of her body molding to his. Then there was the kiss. How would he ever forget that kiss?
That kiss branded him.
“Christian, Father awaits us in the stables.” Galahad’s voice echoed in the hall.
Lance sat up and reluctantly tossed the pillow aside. The game with Elizabeth was dangerous. It wouldn’t end well for either of them.
What exactly was the punishment for sleeping with the betrothed of a high ranking Lord of the court? It had to be bad.
He should keep his distance. He should ask to be assigned something else, perhaps patrolling outside the castle wall. That would put a considerable amount of distance between them, at least until his time was up and he returned to New York. Or, maybe he should take up cliff diving. With so many jagged rocks in the water surrounding Camelot, one well-placed dive could solve all of his problems permanently.
The latch on his door lifted. Galahad filled the doorway, dressed in a simple tunic, pants and boots. His brother’s usual good humor was gone. In its place was a coldness Lance never knew the man possessed. The harsh blue glare aimed his way gave him the chills.
Lance rubbed the stubble on his chin, regarding Galahad’s bad mood. “Well good morning to you too, sunshine. Is everyone getting your glowing wakeup call or is it reserved for me?”
Galahad scowled. “Let us get this done, shall we? Then mayhap you can find your way out of this time.”
Lance pulled his boots on. “Oh, I don’t know. The eternal damp of Camelot is growing on me.” He stood and pulled on his tunic, grinning. “I think I’ll stay a while longer.”
His brother leaned on the door jamb, arms crossed and still frowning. “And what of your charge? Will he then have to fend for himself?”
“Jared?” Lance shrugged. “He’ll manage.” Lance brushed past him. “Who the hell pissed in your Wheaties?”
“Is that the way of it then? A pretty face makes you turn a blind eye to your purpose. I should have realized that was why father sent you away in the first place. You have no desire to be the warrior you are meant to be. You would rather bed a wench and move on. Another prize, another notch on hilt of your sword.”
In one fluid movement, Lance caught him around the throat and pinned Galahad to the wall, growling. “Beth is not a prize or a notch on my sword, dear brother. And my desire to protect Jared and his family is not to be questioned. It’s what I live for. It’s my purpose.” He snarled, baring his teeth. “What exactly is your purpose? Other than irritating the ever living shit out of me at every turn?”
“My purpose is to serve my King and that is all. Not to take advantage of his hospitality and the niece he fosters. You should do well to remember that for yourself, Brother.” Galahad sneered.
A door slammed further down the hall bringing both of them back to the here and now. Lance abruptly released Galahad. “I do remember. Trust me.”
His brother eased the door closed quietly, turning back to face him. “If that is true, why did you not turn her away last night?”
Lance ran a hand through his hair. “Is that what this is about?” Galahad gave him a curt nod. “It’s nice to know my bother thinks so little of me. She came to my room, uninvited. Sure I toyed with her to prove a point, but I never, never, took advantage of her.”
Galahad raised a brow. “You expect me to believe your word? I know what I saw last night.”
“Why were you lurking around my room?”
“I was not lurking. I was on my nightly patrol. ‘Tis one of my duties. You would know that if you had not fostered elsewhere.”
Lance waved the observation off. “Let’s not bring the parental unit’s decisions into this. This is between you and me. How exactly did Beth appear to you?” Galahad studied him in silence making Lance uncomfortable. “What? What are you looking at?”
“You cannot honestly think it will work.”
“What?” Lance finally knew how everyone around him felt when he spoke. Confused didn’t even cover it.
Galahad’s face softened. “Christian, she’s of Camelot. She must stay here when you return to your kingdom. There is no other way.”
“You don’t think I know that? No matter how many times I turn it over in my head, I can’t explain why I feel a connection to her. I don�
��t expect you to understand what I’m talking about. I’m sure I don’t make any sense.”
“Of that you are wrong. I understand completely and I can assure you she feels the same.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I came across her last evening she was mumbling about wanting to know your secrets. Naturally, I tried to distract her.”
Lance’s brow rose. “Naturally. And how did you do that?”
“I kissed her, of course,” Galahad said matter-of-factly.
“You what?” Lance bellowed.
“Keep your voice down. Aye. I kissed her and neither of us felt anything. As if I kissed a relative. Nothing more.”
Lance mulled over this newest tidbit. Could there be a chance? No. It was the one thing he was warned not to do--don’t change history. There was no way he and Elizabeth could happen. Could it?
Galahad slapped him on the back. “Enough of this. You and I have to plow the field. I’m sure father already told the driver not to be easy on us.”
His brother shoved him into the hallway.
As the door closed behind them, Galahad paused. “If you are truly intending on following your heart in this matter, mayhap a visit to Merlin is in order. The wizard has the uncanny ability to make the impossible, possible.” They headed toward the stone staircase. “We shall see how you feel after being strapped to a plow for most of the day.”
Fifteen
“Your Majesty, if I may have a word?” Elaine waved to Arthur from across the courtyard.
The King held up his hand, halting a discussion with Lancelot. He smiled a gracious welcome in Lady Elaine’s direction as she hurried toward them.
Elaine cursed her timing. Having Lancelot present would only complicate matters. King Arthur and her husband were inseparable. She should have known better.
She dropped into a curtsy before the King, keeping her eyes on her husband’s feet. “I apologize for the informality, but what I have to discuss is of great importance.”
“Lady Elaine, you may have as many words as you wish.” The King took her hands in his helping her up. “Tell me, dear Lady, what has you tracking me down this fine morning?”
She glanced at Lancelot. His jaw ticked as a grim line formed on his lips. Elaine could almost hear him telling her to silence herself. He certainly wasn’t in favor of her plan. Lancelot made his position perfectly clear the night before. After which he found himself sleeping on the cold stone floor before the hearth. Served him right.
“A betrothal, Majesty.”
“Elaine.” Lancelot’s tone bled a warning.
King Arthur waved off his first knight. “You have finally decided Galahad is ready for a wife? I’m sure we can find him a suitable bride. Would you prefer he stay close or can we make an alliance abroad?”
“Nay, Majesty. You misunderstand what I’m trying to say. It’s not Galahad’s betrothal I wish us to speak of.”
“Please, Elaine. Now is not the time for this.” Her husband glared at her.
“Lance.” Arthur frowned at his first in command. “If not Galahad, then of whom do you speak? Not your other son, Christian? My Lady, I can assure you that simply is not possible. We all know he cannot bring a bride from Camelot into the future. The ramifications of such an act are unthinkable.”
Elaine shook her head. “Nay, Majesty. I do not speak for either of my sons.”
“Then I am sorry. I do not understand what it is you wish to discuss. Perhaps we should postpone this till another time.” He turned to walk away.
Lancelot gripped her arm. He leaned close, his breath hot on her ear. “Leave this be, Elaine. Her betrothal must stay as it is. Without it, there will be too much lost. This is far larger than a girl having cold feet.”
The King halted a few paces from them. “Lance? What say you?” He swung around and retraced his steps to stand before Lancelot and Elaine. “Explain what it is you are trying to silence.”
Lancelot released her arm. “Majesty, what my Lady wishes to ask is something you cannot change for her. I am trying to stop her from making a fool of herself.”
A fool of myself, indeed. Wait till later, dear husband. I will make you eat those words. She pushed past Lancelot. “My Lord husband does not want me to ask you to call off Lady Elizabeth’s betrothal.”
“And what my Lady wife fails to realize is that this alliance is more important than a girl’s foolish whim.”
“Foolish whim?” She lifted her chin defiantly. “You think a woman’s heart is full of nothing but whims, do you? Then ‘tis only a whim that I chose to stay here with you rather than return to my home. What say you of that?”
“Of course not, Elaine. Our situation has nothing to do with Lady Elizabeth’s betrothal. You cannot compare the two,” Lancelot reasoned.
“Enough,” the King bellowed. “Lancelot, go check on your sons. We will continue our discussion later”
Elaine grinned triumphantly. Her husband bowed to Arthur, all the while keeping his glowering eyes on her. In them she read the promise this was not over. Bring it on, dear husband. I shall be waiting for you. Lancelot rose and saluted their king. He turned abruptly on his heel heading for the field where Galahad and Christian worked off their punishment.
Arthur cleared his throat and held his arm out for Elaine. “Shall we, My Lady?” She placed her hand on his arm and they strolled leisurely toward the castle. They walked in companionable silence through the front door, past the great hall and into the King’s solar. Once inside, he showed her to a comfortable seat and sat across from her.
He sighed heavily. “Lady Elaine, the betrothal must stand. As Lance said, without it there is much to lose.”
She met his tired gaze. The dark circles under his eyes were a testament to the fact the King hadn’t slept in days. Elaine wondered what had kept him up but dared not voice her concerns. “I understand, Sire, but surely there is another who may be more suitable. Lady Elizabeth wishes to marry for love. You above all would know how much that means.”
“What I feel on that subject is of no importance here, My Lady. This is for the good of us all.”
“But Majesty . . .” She desperately tried to come up with another argument, but failed miserably.
“I understand your concern and will not belittle it. I assure you I have spent many a sleepless night trying to come up with another solution. Lancelot and I have also spent hours discussing the subject. There is no other way. I am truly sorry.”
Elaine masked her surprise. Lancelot had already been discussing the betrothal and he never said a word? Why? No wonder he insisted she leave matters alone. He didn’t want to see the girl married off to Lord Rimmon either.
But, if everyone wanted a way out of this contract, why was it agreed to in the first place? What could make this alliance so important no other alternative would suffice?
“Your Majesty, please accept my humble apologies. I only wanted to help.” She rose and curtsied. “I shall take up no more of your time with this.”
Arthur rose and took her hands in his. “My dear Lady Elaine, there is no need for your apologies. I trust though that this conversation can be kept amongst you, Lancelot and myself?” She nodded. “Good. I will promise you this, if a solution does present itself before Lord Rimmon comes to collect his bride, I will do whatever it takes to make it so.”
Elaine squeezed his hand, tears pricking her eyes. “’Tis all I could ask for, Majesty.”
The King led her to the door and they exchanged good-byes. Once he made sure she was well on her way, Arthur closed his door and crossed the room to stare off over the training field below. His knights, save Lancelot and his sons, were heavily into their training. It filled him with pride to watch his men train. Their accomplishments were legendary already. He could only wonder what tales would be told in the future when they were all dead and buried. Arthur knew he could ask Lancelot’s son, but truth be told, he’d rather not know. Some things were better left unsaid.
A movement in the shadows brought a sad quirk to his lips.
“The Lady Elaine was here.”
A statement, not a question. The King expected no less.
“Aye, Merlin. She came as you predicted. It saddens me that I could not honor her request.” He turned toward the wizard. Merlin had been his friend, teacher, and most vocal advisor over the years. Too bad even the sourcerer was unable to show him a way to fix this mess.
“’Tis all for the best, Sire. You shall see. It will all work out in the end.” Merlin placed a hand on his shoulder. “Lady Elizabeth’s future will ensure the survival of Camelot for many years to come. Of this I can assure you.”
Arthur rubbed his hands over his face in pure frustration. “So you keep telling me, old man. Then why do I have this feeling that we have sentenced her to a fate worse than death?”
~ ~ ~ ~
“If anyone can get me out of this betrothal, Bea ‘tis her Ladyship. Her husband is the King’s champion after all. Who better to have his ear than Lady Elaine?”
“Aye, m’Lady.”
Elizabeth and her maid wandered through the small garden behind the castle. She paused here and there to cut the herbs on the list given to her by Merlin. She was unsure what he used them for, but was eternally grateful to have something to fill her time other than needlework. The endless mending and needlepoint sessions in the Queen’s solar drove her mad. There wasn’t a spot on either hand that hadn’t been poked and bled in the past week all from being distracted.
And what a wonderful distraction they were.
Looking out over the field, Elizabeth smiled. The source of her distraction happened to be hard at work below.
Shielding her eyes with a hand on her brow, she watched Christian and Galahad. Their tanned shoulders strained against the yoke on the plow. From where she stood, Elizabeth could to see every ripple of their muscles as they pulled the plow and driver across the field. Sweat glistened over their exposed skin. Her mouth went dry. She fanned herself, knowing it was not the harsh afternoon sun that warmed her.
Beyond Time: A Dark Order of the Dragon Novel (The Dark Order of the Dragon Book 2) Page 11
