I loved seeing her smile and laugh.
All I wanted for Alexandria was a simple life, a private life.
The music slowed to a waltz tempo, and I led her around the floor easily. I knew all these songs and dance steps. I had lived through their creation.
“You are very light on your feet,” Alexandria noted.
“I like to be a man of many talents.” I spun her around gently.
“Well, then I would love to learn every single talent you have.” Her flirtatious smirk ignited a heat in my blood.
She has no idea what she does to me.
“Let us depart, and perhaps, I can show you one or two.” My challenge piqued her interest.
“Then let us go.” She ran her hand over my chest, pressing against my heart. “And don’t hold back.”
No, clearly she had no idea of her power over me.
“As you wish.”
Alexandria departed from my side after we returned to Caliburn. She hinted at freshening up, and I knew why. Orla took her by the arm and led my lady away. Images of just how I would take her flashed across my mind.
Isaac and David both marveled at the fortress they knew from hundreds of years ago. Isaac nodded. “You have done well all these years, Arthur. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been.”
“Easy is the last word to use to describe my purgatory.” I shook my head. “It is good to have friends surrounding me again.”
“Whatever you need, we are here.” David put his hand on my shoulder.
“I thank you for that.” I motioned for John. “Please show these two gentlemen to their rooms.”
“Have a good night, Avalon.” John turned his attention to play host to two of his closest friends.
Merlin cleared his throat, and I glanced over to see the man cleaning his glasses. “It was a good showing today, sir. You haven’t lost your touch.”
I scoffed, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Did you have any doubt?”
Merlin eyed me after putting his glasses back on his nose. “I never doubt you, sir; it is the opposition I am never sure of.”
“Well, I appreciate everything you do for me, Merlin.” I began walking toward the staircase. “Never forget that you are my most trusted friend.”
“I know, sir. I know.”
Pausing at the top of the grand stairs, I leaned against the railing.
Today had gone better than I could have ever hoped. At the same time, I also learned a bit more about Mordred and Lancer. I taught Lancer to joust as a teenager. He knew better than to be unhorsed by me.
Mordred must have told him to fall.
A strange satisfaction resonated knowing that Mordred, my own flesh and blood, was a worthy opponent. His form and usage with both beast and joust mirrored my own. If I hadn’t cast him out so long ago—if I had tried to teach him more—would he still hate me?
Those questions would never be answered.
My feet had their own agenda as I strode through the corridor to my own chambers. The door had been left open slightly, and I smiled.
Alexandria.
Entering my room, I shut and locked the door behind me. I made quick work of my vest and shirt, tossing them along the back of a chair. Only one thing was on my mind.
Her.
I needed to sink inside her to erase the heaviness weighing on my chest since seeing my former charge and son. I had to bring to life those fantasies my mind conjured while waiting on the sidelines for my turn to joust. The way she gave me her favor in front of an entire crowd of people with the poise and grace she possessed had me lusting hours afterward.
I kicked off my boots and stalked toward the door that led to my bedroom. Alexandria waited on my bed dressed seductively in a sapphire blue nightgown. Her tiara still rested on her head, fanning the burning in my blood to a boil.
She is my Cleopatra and I her Caesar.
“Hello.” She let her hand slide along the sheets until she lay on her side. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
My pants became suddenly tighter.
“Forgive me for being late.” I crawled onto the bed and loomed over her. “Shall I make up for it?”
Alexandria turned onto her back, reaching up to caress my cheek. “You always do.”
I leaned down and nibbled on her slender throat. “God, woman, I need you.”
“Take me.” Her whisper came out breathless as my tongue laved at her pulse point. “Please, Arthur.”
That was all the encouragement I needed. I gripped the satin fabric of her nightgown and shoved it up her thighs. Her legs fell apart, welcoming my advances. I kissed along her jaw and hungrily captured her mouth.
She submitted so sweetly yet didn’t give in completely. Alexandria nipped at my lower lip, pulling a growl from my chest. I settled my clothed hips between her bare sex and teased her.
No longer the shy woman in her dreams, she rubbed against me, eager for what would eventually follow.
“Tell me how you want me.” I lingered just out of her mouth’s reach. My fingers laced in the long tresses of her hair, and I pulled gently. The grace in which she arched for me drew a moan from my lips.
“I want it hard.” I cupped her breast, and her voice hitched. “Arthur …”
“You want it hard?” I teased, slipping my hand under the nightgown and pinching her nipple.
She writhed beautifully beneath me. “I need it hard …”
“That’s much better, love.” I drew away from her, tugging at the placket of my pants and stripping them off.
As we clashed together, I swore heaven could be reached while still on Earth. I lived for her touch, her voice, her smile, her presence. She made me soar all while keeping me rooted to the ground.
We held nothing back.
Alexandria was a little bit bolder.
I was a little rougher.
Our intention was there—hold on to one another, revel in every sensation, and make love like this was the last time.
Our days were numbered.
Our fates unknown.
All I did know was the woman beneath me was my world.
And I would do whatever it took to save her.
TWENTY-TWO
Merlin
I removed my glasses and tossed them onto the table before me. My hands clasped together and rested against my forehead. A hand gently ran along my shoulder.
“You need rest, Merlin.” Her voice tore through the void of my thoughts.
Why did she always insist on being kind?
How could she care for me after all I had done?
“There is work to be done.” I sighed and rubbed my face. “Planning to do.”
Vivian knelt by my side and took my hand in hers. “You do not have to take this burden on alone. I know how worried you are about Arthur. We all are.” Her pale blue eyes pleaded with mine. “Merlin …” She ran her fingers through my hair. A daring gesture for her usual reserved self.
“What is it you wish to achieve, Vivian?” I gripped her wrist, stopping her caresses. “Do you think if we can save Arthur it will atone for the sins of the past? I know mine shall never be wiped clean.” My gaze searched her face. “So why are you here?”
Her lips curled into a soft smile. “Isn’t it obvious?” She stood and lifted my chin upward. I too rose to my feet.
“Take off your heels.” My whisper brushed against her pink lips.
One by one, she discarded the designer shoes and stood three inches shorter. I cupped either side of her face, stroking her cheeks with my thumbs. Vivian stood shorter, less a celestial being and completely human—vulnerable.
“According to you, I have a tendency to be very thick.” Her hands came to rest against my chest. “It isn’t as obvious as you believe. In fact, I find it very irritating.”
She swallowed. “I want the curse to be lifted; it was my duty to make sure Arthur stayed safe on Avalon, and I failed.” Her eyes glassed over with unshed tears. “And I wanted to make up for what I put
you through.”
“Ah, the truth comes out,” I murmured, closing the gap between us. Dropping a hand to her slender waist, I pulled her body flush to mine. “You are a pure being, Vivian. Why defile yourself on a half-breed like me?”
The muscles in her throat tensed, and I could feel the lust taint the air between us. “Because I loved you then, and even though I locked you away, I never stopped.”
I lowered my head, unable to meet her eyes.
The things I had done.
The irreversible damage caused by my good intentions …
No good deed ever went unpunished.
“Merlin …” she whispered.
My gaze shifted back to her face, regret gnawed in my chest, and a flicker of hope desperately batted its wings to fly free.
“The past is in the past.” She reached up to touch my face. “Leave it be, and whatever you are holding, let it go.”
Today, my nerves had been shot.
I had to ensure Avalon stayed safe today as well as the victor of the joust. My magical barrier around this estate kept the monsters out at night. Alexandria wore a target painted on her back now. A large, scarlet target dripping in blood and destiny. Sleepless nights of trying to plot Mordred and Lancer’s next move finally caught up with me.
Under Vivian’s touch, though, I felt rejuvenated. It was as though I’d had a full night’s sleep without nightmares or dreams.
“Let me help you carry this burden.” Her eyelids lowered. “It is ours to share anyway.”
I fought her advances, but I was only half demon. The human within me wanted her, desired her above anything else, and longed to take what I saw as mine. The demon needed to feed off her purity, her energy, and take and take and take.
“It is a dangerous burden, Vivian.” My fingers began working at the laces of her corset. I found her intake of breath endearing and innocent.
She understood my meaning. “I know, but I need to share it with you.”
“A rather long time since we have done so.” The corset fell forward on her body then to the floor. My next focus was the pink chiffon skirt. “The last time I believe we were this close, you locked me away.”
A guilty expression crossed her brow. “I didn’t mean to take advantage of you.”
“Ah, but you did.” The light fabric pooled at her feet.
A Greek goddess stood before me, one who would shame Aphrodite herself. Vivian’s long golden tresses fell over her shoulders in waves. Her light pink underwear was lacy and easily disposable. She crossed her arms over her chest, shielding what little she could.
“I believe it is my turn to take advantage of you.” Taking her wrists, I gently guided her arms away, revealing perfectly sculpted teardrop breasts. I smirked, glancing at her blushing face. “May I?”
Her chest rose and fell in desperate anticipation. “Please, Merlin …”
I walked her back to the edge of my bed, and she lay down. With a flick of my hands, her delicate wrists rose above her head, and with magic, I bound her to the headboard.
My stripping was deliberately slow, allowing her to see what her power had done to me. Scars zigzagged in grotesque patterns over my chest and stomach. Vivian never once looked away, claiming every injury as I would claim her.
“Does it bother you?” I asked, crawling onto the bed and over her tethered body.
“The scars?” She tried to keep an even tone, but her voice wavered as my hands slid along her sides.
“No.” I nibbled at her ear, whispering, “The fact I’m going to be so deep inside you, you won’t know where I start and you end.”
Her body arched upward off the bed. “I don’t care.” She shook her head from side to side on the pillow. “Merlin, just do it.”
I arched a brow, pressing myself between her thighs, spreading her open. “The priestess is begging the demon to fuck her … Now that’s something you don’t get to hear every day.”
“God, you are incredulous.” Vivian shot me a dark glare. “You love me, and I love you. Just admit it; you wouldn’t come this far if you didn’t care for me.”
Women and their desire to be loved, to be cherished never made sense to me until I met Vivian. She wasn’t human, so she wasn’t supposed to fit into that mentality. Yet she was still a woman.
A fatal flaw among the fairer sex.
“If you loved me, why did you lock me away?” I asked, teasing the head of my very eager cock at her entrance. “For love?”
The tears finally streamed down her cheeks at my bitter quip. My brows furrowed, and I found myself on the back foot.
“I didn’t want to kill you as I had been commanded to.” Vivian stared at me evenly, honestly. “So I locked you away instead.”
Her confession rocked me to my core.
I pulled back, unsure of what to do.
I had been born with the sole purpose to be the most powerful wizard in the world. Born of the fires of hell and the flesh of man, I grew up yearning for acceptance and falling short. Arthur looked at me as a father figure. Vivian as a lover.
Why?
I didn’t deserve their trust or their loyalty.
“You should have just killed me.” I scoffed.
She shook her head solemnly. “Arthur needs you, Merlin. And I need you too.”
Perhaps falling in love was a fault for women, but as a man—even half of a man as I—believing someone loved you was even worse. Pale blue, almost crystalline eyes bore into mine, and I saw no remorse, no lies, just truth.
The truth should set one free.
Not me.
It bound me to my fate, the chains tightening until I couldn’t breathe.
“You need me?” I barely whispered the words.
Vivian smiled. “I love you. Of course, I need you.”
Shit.
If this was another one of her tricks, I’d be helpless against her.
I was tired of fighting for everyone but myself.
I just wanted this entire mess to be over with.
So if only for one night, I chose to believe her.
I chose to believe she loved me.
And as I thrust inside, ruining her innocence, I honestly believed I loved her.
TWENTY-THREE
Alexandria
The following morning, I woke up alone in bed. With a groan, I rolled over onto Avalon’s pillow and inhaled his familiar scent. A sleepy smile curled my lips.
Everything about that man made me happy. So much so that I pushed myself out of bed and wandered over to open the French doors leading to his balcony. The autumn chill cut through my scantily clad body, and I reached for my house robe on the floor by my side of the bed. I snuggled into the fuzzy warmth and stepped outside into the morning light.
The trees had turned from brilliant green to an array of orange, red, and gold. Winter would be here before we knew it. Satisfied, I walked back inside, closed the doors, and made my way back to my chambers to get ready for the day.
Avalon must be meeting with the men, I pondered. They needed to know exactly what we were dealing with.
I felt relief that we have two extra hands on deck with David and Isaac. I didn’t know if they would want to be called by their current names or their previous names, so I would just leave it at current. John hadn’t corrected me yet.
Stepping into the shower, I took my time adjusting the water to just above warm and switched it to the bath to steam. I wouldn’t lie; a night of hot sex was amazing, but a good shower afterward was almost just as rewarding. My hands paused as I soaped my hair.
Avalon and I were an official couple. Sex happened regularly, but it always felt like the first time. Every touch, every kiss seemed electric and new.
So how did I feel about dating a man whose age equaled that of my country? What was it like loving a man who chased my soul through the centuries without giving up hope? Amazing. Simply amazing.
I knew a love like ours only came around once in a lifetime. Avalon lived hundreds of lifet
imes, and for some reason, I made the difference. I didn’t think too hard about what made that difference. Maybe I didn’t want to know.
My fingers massaged my scalp as I switched from rinsing to conditioner.
I stayed under the gentle spray as long as I could before I worried I’d end up looking like a prune.
After towel drying my hair, I set about looking for clothes. You’d think it would be easy with my entire wardrobe here. Wrong. No matter how close Avalon and I became, I would always want to look great. Normally, I never cared and threw on leggings and a flannel, but now not so much.
Deciding to take it easy, I did opt for the leggings, but instead of flannel, an off-the-shoulder sweater did the trick. Since the castle floors weren’t always heated, I also pulled on a pair of leather brown ankle boots.
I applied some foundation and lip gloss, tied my hair up in a wet bun, and called it good enough.
Practically skipping down the hall, I waved to a few of the maids on my way down to the large kitchen. Orla met me at the stove with a cup of tea and poached eggs with toast.
“This looks amazing, thank you.” I eagerly took the catch.
Orla just smiled. “They are in the main dining hall.”
The dining hall was essentially the Great Hall of this estate. I thanked the older woman and took my breakfast to meet them. Voices became louder the closer I got to the dining room.
One most definitely had to be Avalon and the other M. As soon as I came through the doors, the talking ceased, and I glanced around.
“Did I interrupt something?” I asked, arching a brow and surveying the room.
Avalon ran his hands over his black dress shirt, snuck a peek at M, and then back at me. “We were just discussing you and …” He cleared his throat. “When the next attack for you may come.”
I paused.
If Lancer and Mordred were going to come for me again, I couldn’t do anything to stop it. I shrugged. “Okay, so what are our options?” I sat down next to Vivian on a horsehair sofa to eat my breakfast. The golden-haired woman looked uncharacteristically tired this morning.
Resurrection: A Historical Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 3) Page 14
