Resurrection: A Historical Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 3)

by Kylie Stewart

  “Go get her, Nix.” I clucked to my red mare, and together, Alexandria and I flew across the meadows of Caliburn. For a few moments, the looming clouds cleared, and we could just be human.

  I could be human.

  TEN

  Alexandria

  Avalon and I put the horses away after a long cooldown and a well-deserved grooming. I found myself calling him Arthur more and more, the name of Avalon fading to his title. Even though a lady in London held his rightful title.

  I studied the way he moved around Phoenix, how he brushed in long, fluid strokes over her flaming coat. How the breeches accented his muscular legs and perfect rear. The wind from galloping over the meadows blew his hair every which way, and now the black strands fell into his eyes.

  The name Arthur suited him well. It was ancient, strong, and intelligent. I caught him glancing at me from his peripheral.

  I turned to put away Cam’s grooming kit as my face grew hot. I heard light chuckling float down the stable aisle. “You are allowed to look at what is yours, love.” His voice teased.

  When I didn’t answer, I heard the dull clop of hooves over the matted aisle and the creaking of a stall door latching. I opened the lid to Cam’s trunk and set his grooming bucket back inside. A hand appeared over my shoulder, holding the top open. Arthur’s breath tickled the back of my neck, his hand tossing my ponytail over my shoulder.

  “May I take you out tomorrow night?” His lips dragged slowly along my exposed skin.

  How was I to fight this? I leaned my head back against his chest, allowing him to do as he wished. “I suppose, but is that wise?”

  “How is it not wise?” He nipped at my ear, eliciting a giggle from me. “We are a couple. I want to show you off.”

  “Arthur.” I turned in his embrace and gently placed my hands on his chest to give us a few inches of space. “Is that smart with Lancer on the warpath?”

  A frown tugged his lips downward, but he quickly reversed to a smirk. “He’s not going to crash a five-star restaurant. He’d be shot on sight coming after a duke.” The backs of his fingers stroked over my cheeks. “We shall be fine.”

  There seemed to be no arguing with him about this topic. So I hiked up my brave panties and flashed him a coy smile. “What will we do tonight?”

  The emerald color within the gray seemed to glow in the dim light of the stables. “I have dinner set for this evening, and then afterward,” his lips whispered over mine, “I’m all yours.”

  My legs quivered as he teased. I still wasn’t used to his masterful seduction, and I didn’t think I ever would be.

  “All mine?” I asked, nipping at his lower lip.

  A low growl resonated in his chest. “From now until the end of time.”

  Boldness took over, and I reached up to caress his face. “Forever,” I whispered before rising to my tiptoes and placing a soft kiss on his full lips.

  Avalon held me fast against his chest and deepened the kiss. One hand rested on my lower back while the other pulled my ponytail band. Long hair fell against my shoulders and his fingers carded through the tresses. His tongue begged for entry, and I opened for him.

  When we kissed, touched, and made love, it felt like another dimension opened. We were somehow elevated to a higher sense of being. Even when I didn’t understand how or why, Avalon had always felt familiar. Now, more than ever, he was home to me.

  My nights away from Caliburn and his arms were sleepless. The hours working in my gallery alone were spent daydreaming of Arthur. He was everything to me. My past, my present, and I prayed my future.

  “Come.” Breathless, he reluctantly broke the spell. “We should get inside and change before I take you in the hayloft.”

  “Would that be so bad?” I teased.

  He made a face, arching a brow comically. “You do know how itchy hay is, right?”

  Laughing, he wrapped an arm around me, and we walked back into the safety of Caliburn’s ancient walls.

  Dinner tasted delicious as always. Avalon had ordered a hearty meal of roast beef, boiled potatoes, and sautéed carrots and broccoli. Since I didn’t have to drive back into London tonight, I refilled my wine glass three times throughout the meal.

  Now, we sat in his front receiving room sprawled on various couches. A bottle of whiskey waved about in his hand as he spoke animatedly about the kings and queens of the past.

  “Now, Will had a mind years ahead of his time.” He sat up, explaining William the Conqueror. “He even wrote in English, mind you; this was when Latin or French was rampant—God help us.”

  I couldn’t help my laugh as he explained in vivid detail the history of England. Holding up my full wine glass, I stopped his ranting. “What about Henry the Eighth? Was he really that much of a dick?”

  Avalon rolled his eyes and came to join me on the floor. He stole my cup from me, setting it down so it wouldn’t spill, and captured my wrists. “He was an ass and thought only with his cock.”

  “Oh?” I smirked. “Explain.”

  “He only wanted a son and would get one by any means.” He sat back up, pulling me with him. “I tried for years to make him see that a divorce was not necessary and that his philandering about with other women would only harm his cause.”

  “I don’t think he listened.” I snuggled into his chest. Strong arms wrapped around me, securing us both.

  “No, he never did.” His lips pressed to the top of my head. “I didn’t like Anne; she was too confident for her own good.” He paused. “But she was innocent of all the charges against her, and I gained a fierce queen out of her.”

  “That’s horrible.” I thought about the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn. “To be able to go back and stop it; perhaps, she would have given him a boy.”

  Avalon’s body tensed. “Yes, perhaps.” I got the sense he understood the frustrations of Henry.

  “Did you ever have a legitimate son?”

  He hesitated, lowering his gaze to me with a sad expression on his face. “No.” Taking my hands, he pressed kisses to each knuckle. “Many failed attempts, but no. I believe God punished me for my affairs.”

  “For Mordred?” I pressed gently.

  The sorrow and regret echoed in those vast eyes I could drown in. “I believe so.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Enough about that, though.”

  He stood, taking the bottle of whiskey with him and setting it on a side table. I had grabbed my glass and taken a swig of wine before I did the same.

  “When this is all over... say we win? What happens to you?” It was the ultimate question I had been longing to ask him.

  “What do you mean?” He turned with a quizzical look on his face.

  I stepped closer to him. “Will you cease to exist? Or will you just be human?”

  “Ah, you mean because I’ve been alive for so long?” He leaned against the open doorway leading to his bedchamber. “Vivian and I believe, as does Merlin, that I will just become human. I shall be able to live out the rest of my days as such and die.”

  Relief shot through my body. The thought of losing him at the end of all this, of going through life without him—I wouldn’t survive.

  “So if we win …?”

  “When we win.” Avalon moved away from the door and came to stand before me. “What are you saying, Alexandria?”

  “When we win, what happens between us?” I toyed with the zipper on my track jacket, not wanting to look him in the eyes.

  His hands gripped mine, stopping my fidgeting.

  My breathing slowed as he knelt on his knees, coming into my vision.

  “I swear to you, on all that I am, when this is all said and done. When we come out victorious and the curse is broken forever”—Avalon’s voice wavered, breaking a bit—“I would then like to spend the rest of my life, my days, with you.”

  I swallowed back a sob.

  Only two years ago, I would have jumped into Lancer’s arms screaming yes at a marriage proposal.

  If I had, I wou
ld have never met Avalon or found out about my past.

  I wouldn’t experience the love I feel now.

  To know I would die for him, just as he would die for me.

  To be completely safe and home in his arms.

  To dare to dream of becoming his partner—his wife.

  “Is that a pre-marriage proposal?” I asked, trying to break the tension in the room.

  Avalon cracked a smile, standing back to his full height. He pressed his forehead to mine. “You could call it that, yes.”

  “Are you drunk?” I teased.

  “A little tipsy, but the truth does come out in drunken thoughts.” He took my face in his hands. “I have never wanted a woman the way I want you, Alexandria. And I just don’t want you; I fucking need you.”

  “I need you too, Arthur. So much.” I fought back the emotions threatening to spill over. “Promise me you’ll come out of this alive.”

  “I promise.” He spoke without hesitation.

  We stayed wrapped in each other’s arms while we dared to dream of a future together. I didn’t want to stay because of his wealth or his title or even his long-lived life and the experience that came with it. I just wanted the man. The beautifully tortured soul who loved me for me and not the person I derived from.

  “Let’s go to bed.” He leaned down and scooped me up into his arms bridal style. “I feel the barbaric need to claim you and chase your troubles away.”

  I snorted, shaking my head at his brashness. “You think sex can solve our issues?”

  He wagged his eyebrows at me, a boyish smirk turning his lips upwards. “Not all our issues, but some of the baser ones.”

  I laughed at that, knowing he was right.

  Shyness crept over me as I asked, “The first night you came to me in my dreams, what did you think?”

  As he laid me down on his bed, he sat next to me, taking off his boots. I could hear the wheels in his mind churning as he pondered my question.

  I waited.

  “I thought you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. The moonlight through his French doors cast him in shadow. “And I knew then that I wanted to know you.”

  Avalon stood, unzipping his jeans and letting them fall to the floor. He pulled the green polo off over his head next and tossed it aside.

  I drew his body to memory. Every line, dip, and curve of his strong, muscular form was filed away, just in case.

  “Well, this is rather one-sided,” he joked, grabbing the hem of my leggings by my ankles and pulling me along the bed. “I’m nearly stark naked, and you’re just gawking? Naughty girl.” He shot me a wicked grin. “Shall I punish you?”

  I squeaked as he pulled me closer and closer to the edge of the bed, lifting my rear up so he could make quick work of my leggings. Expert hands had my track jacket off in record time, only to groan at my Manchester United t-shirt.

  “What?” I asked, worried something was wrong.

  “Not only are you wearing layers, but really? Manchester United?” He gave a mocking shake of his head. “I don’t know if we can be friends anymore.”

  “Oh? And who do you root for?” I came up to my knees, running my hands along his chest.

  Avalon yanked the t-shirt over my head and tossed it into the corner, unsnapped my bra with one hand, and shoved me lightly back onto the pillows. He hovered over me, letting his hand run the length of my side before finally answering me. “Chelsea is the better team.”

  “Oh, now those are fighting words.” I attempted to sit up, but he pinned me back down.

  “Allow me to school you in all the ways of which I am right,” he whispered into my ear, igniting goose bumps all over my body.

  “Please …” I inhaled roughly, anticipating the restless night ahead.

  “With pleasure.” Avalon pulled me close, and we were lost to the night.

  ELEVEN

  Avalon

  Merlin greeted me in the large kitchen on the first level, almost seeming surprised at my chipper disposition. He gave me a few moments to putter about before speaking. I swiped bits and pieces of dishware and then food from Orla’s swatting hands. Once I’d completed the tray for Alexandria, Orla took it upstairs, and I turned back to Merlin.

  “Out with it, Merlin. You’ve been staring at the back of my head for the past ten minutes.” I sipped my tea, glancing over the morning paper.

  “I hear that you would like to take Alexandria out into London tonight.” He spoke carefully.

  “Yes, and...?” I arched a brow, setting the paper down. “Do you have qualms about it?”

  Merlin took off his thin spectacles in a flourish, rubbed his eyes, and crossed his arms. “Quite frankly, sir, I do. I have sat here long enough playing butler, and I think we have all become a bit rusty to how life used to be.”

  I sat down on one of the many stools placed around the wooden prep table in the kitchen. “How do you mean? In terms of your magic and my fighting?”

  “Yes, Arthur.” Merlin appeared to be more than a bit distraught. “This arrived for you this morning.” He pulled a letter from his vest pocket and handed it to me. “I believe it to be an invitation to the annual charity joust in York the second weekend in October.”

  I studied the seal, slid a butter knife under it, and opened the letter. “It is. Shall I go this year? If my skills are as rusty as you think.”

  “Arthur, this is no laughing matter.” Merlin came to stand before me. “If you lose Alexandria, if you lose yourself, there will be a price to pay. This isn’t a game, Arthur.”

  “I know that, Merlin,” I snapped, coming back to my full height and startling the cook and another maid. I took a moment to inhale deeply and then exhale my frustration as Merlin hadn’t even flinched. “I understand the dire straits we are in. I shall respond that I will attend the joust and bring Alexandria with us.”

  “Bring her with us? She should stay within the safety of Caliburn’s walls,” Merlin protested.

  “I am not going to treat her like some caged songbird or a princess in the tower,” I spat back. “I am the first person who will admit I am terrified of the thought of losing her in any way. Yet I refuse to be the cause of her missing out on living.”

  Merlin and I just glowered at each other until Orla came back down, breaking the tension. “Alexandria is in her chambers getting ready for the day, sir.”

  “Thank you, Orla.” Nodding in the older woman’s direction, I turned back to Merlin. “I understand your concern, Merlin, my oldest friend.” I put my hands on his shoulders. “I do not intend to lose this battle.”

  Merlin put his hands atop my forearms. “It is not the battle I am concerned with, Arthur. It is the war.”

  He walked away, his head hanging slightly as if the gravity of our situation weighed him down. Heels clicked on the tile behind me, and I turned to see Vivian staring at the dejected man. She accepted a cup of tea from Orla and came to stand at my side.

  “Shall I go clean up your mess?” she asked.

  I gritted my teeth and turned my glare on her. “Do as you wish.”

  “Arthur.” The sharpness in her tone snapped my head back to look at her. “He is right, you know.”

  “I know, dammit.” I stormed out of the room and down the hall. My feet took me up the stairs and along the corridor until I was standing at Alexandria’s door. I raised my hand to knock, but the door opened. A hand reached out, taking me by my tie and pulling me into the room. I somehow managed to shut the door behind me in her haste.

  “Good morning!” She giggled brightly, pinning me to the wall.

  “Morning.” I surveyed the knee-length red dress she wore. “You look very nice.”

  “Just very nice?” she teased, spinning for me. “I was just trying on different dresses for tonight. What time are we leaving? I can’t believe we are going on our first official date.”

  Her excitement permeated the air. The blue in her eyes sparkled and danced like diamond
s on a lake. I only wanted normalcy for her. I wanted her to experience life before it was too late.

  No. I refused to let Mordred run our lives.

  “I think we can leave around six to get into London in fair time.” I reached my hand out, and she took it without hesitation. “Dinner and dancing.” Spinning her lightly, I pulled her close. “How does that work?”

  “Very well, my lord.” Alexandria’s radiant smile lit up her entire face.

  Releasing her, I nodded. “Then I shall let M know to get the car ready for that time.” I turned on my heel and exited her chambers.

  I leant on the closed door, trying to sort through the muddled mess that was my mind. Merlin wouldn’t be happy taking either of us out into the open like that. Yet he wouldn’t stand idly by either.

  I prayed the worst could wait.

  “So tell me again about this charity joust. It sounds like so much fun.” Alexandria happily chatted while my eyes bounced back and forth from table to table. Amidst her lighthearted conversation, I found it hard to concentrate.

  Maybe Merlin was right.

  Perhaps I shouldn’t have brought her out into the open like this for my own sanity.

  “Avalon?” she asked, curious to where I was staring. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, yes, everything is fine. I’m so sorry.” I picked up my fork and motioned to the table behind me. “The socialites are talking.”

  Alexandria peeked behind me to a table of five middle-aged women all decked out to the nines whispering and pointing their jeweled fingers at us. The mirror behind Alexandria gave me a clear view of who entered the restaurant without giving me away. I usually sat with my back to the wall so I could see who entered; Merlin made sure to request the mirror room so I could watch while not being seen.

  Apparently, the women behind us had seen, but they weren’t my concern. Alexandria wrinkled her nose. “Oh dear, do you think they are wondering what we are doing together?”