Relics of Camelot

by L. H. Nicole

  Aliana shrugged, swallowing the emotions that threatened to surface at the mention of her parents. “I’ve pretty much traveled on my own for the last few years. Every now and then some friends will join me, but mostly I am on my own. My father and one of my dearest friends taught me how to defend myself.”

  “Really?” Sophvira asked excitedly. “I want to learn how to shoot but my brother simply refuses to let me handle a weapon.”

  “You don’t need to know because you’ll never be without protection, little sister.” All the guys voiced their agreement while Guinevere and Delphina hid wide smiles. Aliana imagined this was a running joke with all them.

  “I happen to be very good with archery,” Aliana said, allowing a little pride to color her words.

  The guys all burst out laughing, with even Morgana joining in the clear disbelief of her statement. “Where all have you been, Lady Aliana?”

  She bit her cheek trying to think of the easiest answers. “I’ve been to Rome and many of the surrounding territories. I’ve also traveled through many of the kingdoms here in Brittan.”

  “You certainly have had you adventures, my lady.” Arthur seemed almost impressed.

  Boy, did he have no idea how spot on that statement was.

  Delphina turned the conversation away from Aliana by talking about the upcoming celebrations and games that Camelot would be hosting in honor of Camelot’s creation. The knights went back to talking about the contests they would be entering, each boasting about how they would win.

  A touch of cold air brushed the back of her neck and Aliana immediately recognized the feel of Morgana’s magic. She seemed to be discreetly feeling out the strength of her magic. Acting on instinct, she tightened the veil hiding her true strength.

  As if the blonde sensed she’d been discovered snooping, the cold magic instantly disappeared. Aliana turned, meeting the confused witch’s eyes. Morgana looked away quickly.

  Aliana looked at Guinevere, who was openly frowning at the blonde. What had Guinevere noticed? The redhead looked to her and her expression lightened. Aliana got the distinct impression she wasn’t the biggest fan of Morgana.

  Dinner finished soon after. Morgana excused herself, kissing Merlin’s cheek and saying she would see him in their rooms. Aliana watched her retreating figure, worried about what she was up to. Was she already working in the shadows to hurt Arthur and his kingdom?

  Guinevere called her attention back. “Would you like to join Sophvira and myself for our nightly walk, Lady Aliana?”

  Glad for the chance to see more of the castle she nodded. “Yes I would, and please call me Aliana. I’m not much for formal titles.” She looked to Arthur and added, “With exception of you, of course, your majesty.”

  Arthur chuckled, leaning closer to her. “In all honesty, I’m not really fond of them either.”

  Did Arthur just give me permission to call him by his name?

  Guinevere and Sophvira rose from their seats and Aliana followed suit. They left out the door they came through but headed toward a different set of stairs. Torches now lit the halls, the windows adding an eerie glow with the light from the moon.

  “Can you really shoot a bow, Lady Aliana?” Sophvira asked, distracting her from the beautiful castle.

  “I can shoot and fight with a bow staff and my hands. And please, both of you call me Aliana.”

  The girl’s light blue eyes widened with excitement. “Can you teach me?”

  “Sophvira!” Guinevere admonished.

  “What?” she whined. “Even you know how to handle a sword, Guin.”

  “You do?” Aliana asked before she could stop herself. That wasn’t something she had seen coming.

  Guinevere grinned at both of them. “When we were kids, Arthur and Lancelot used to teach me in secret. My parents and King Uther would never have approved.”

  “That is fantastic!” Aliana already felt more at ease with both girls. But pain twinged in her heart. It hurt to know what was to happen to them.

  “Where are we going, Lady Guinevere?” Aliana asked, turning away from her sad thoughts. Guinevere stopped outside another door, grabbing the iron bar that served as a door handle and opening it.

  “It is a surprisingly warm night. I thought you might enjoy seeing the castle from one of the ramparts. And if I may return your kindness, Aliana, please call me Guin. All my friends do.”

  “And I prefer to be called Vira!” Sophvira’s lively face scrunched up in annoyance. “Though I can only seem to convince Guin to call me that.”

  “When I’m not trying to get a point across to you,” Guin added.

  They ascended the stairs quickly and went through another door. The briny ocean air hit Aliana first, reminding her of home. “Oh my stars!”

  It was no wonder the window had glowed so brightly. The moon over the ocean was full and so large it looked like she could reach out and touch it. Leaning against the edge of the wall she watched the crashing waves, white tips glowing so familiarly.

  Guin’s hand touched her shoulder. “If you think that a sight, come see the city.”

  Obediently, Aliana followed her and Vira.

  Her jaw dropped. The city was lit with blazes of firelight, some from the torches that lined the walls running through and around the city. Larger cauldron-like blazes spread through the streets to help the patrolling soldiers see the areas around them. The entire city seemed to have its own living heartbeat, strong and sure. “This kingdom is so amazing. I’ve never seen another that seemed so…alive.”

  “Even with all the places you’ve been?” Vira asked.

  “I have certainly seen my share of breathtaking places, but truly, none of it can compare to Camelot.” A different kind of sadness settled over her. She was living another dream she had always shared with her archaeologist father. They had both always wished to see this ancient city, to learn what it was really like, how the people lived, and what kind of king Arthur really was.

  Vira’s small hand touched hers. “Why do you look so sad?”

  She exhaled, trying to decide if she should answer. “I was just thinking about my papa.”

  Vira scooted closer and Guin curled her arm around the girls’ small shoulders, cocooning the young girl between them.

  “He and I always wanted to come here. To see this city so many people tell amazing tales about. I never thought it could actually happen. I wish he was here to share this with me. He would be as excited as a child getting new toys.”

  The three of them laughed and the heaviness on Aliana’s heart lightened a little. It felt good to talk about her father. To remember all the good times they had shared.

  “I still can’t believe he lets you travel alone! Galahad is always so worried. He doesn’t let me to go anywhere on my own.”

  Aliana took Vira’s smaller hand in hers. “I don’t blame him. It is dangerous out there.”

  The girl pouted, her bottom lip jutting out. Aliana had to bite back a smile.

  They stood silently for a few minutes before Guin took a step back. “We should be going in now. My husband will be wondering where I am. And so will your brother, Vira.”

  Sighing dramatically, Vira followed, still holding Aliana’s hand. She expected her to let go, but the girl kept her hold and led them down the stairs.

  Guin parted from them when they reached the stairs that led to Aliana and Vira’s wing of the castle. As they came to the top of the stairs, Aliana saw a small alcove off to the right and smelled the night air.

  “You go on to bed, Vira,” she said. “I’d like to have a few more minutes before I go to my room.”

  Looking slightly dejected, Vira disappeared down the hall. It was only a few steps to reach the alcove, and Aliana was thrilled to see the little spot hidden by stone walls, like a secret hiding place.

  Resting her arms against the open window ledge, she gazed out at the sea and glowing waves. The sound was so familiar; if she closed her eyes, she could imagine herself back on t
he beach behind her house, her parents by her side as her papa told her one of his many stories.

  “My lady?”

  A large warm hand brushed her elbow and Aliana was snapped from her memory. She wheeled around, heart thumping in her ears, but she stopped suddenly when her eyes tangled with Galahad’s brilliant blue ones.

  He smiled charmingly, like she had seen him do so many times before, and her heart fluttered in response. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  Aliana let out the breath that had frozen in her chest, her hand lying over her heart. “It’s not very polite to sneak up on a girl, Sir Galahad.”

  “Galahad, please.” His smile was still in place. “May I call you Aliana?”

  She nodded automatically.

  Galahad stood in front of her, either intentionally or unintentionally blocking her only escape. His shoulders and chest were broad and so large she could hardly even see past him into the hall. “I thought you would be resting by now. Merlin says you’ve had a very long journey to get to us.”

  She remembered being on the half-ruined dock where she had watched her parents die in the horrible explosion Morgana had created. “It certainly feels like that.”

  He looked down briefly and took a small step forward. “You seem to have made quite the impression on my sister. It’s been a long time since she’s been so excited about anything or anyone.”

  Aliana’s head tilted to the side, her curiosity clear. “She’s been nothing but outgoing around me.”

  “I’m grateful that she is. I worry that she’s too closed off at times.” His arms crossed over his wide chest, the worn, soft leather not making a sound. “Even among our friends, she’s only really close with Guin and Morgana; Delphina at times.”

  Aliana bit her lip, holding back something she would have had no problem saying to her Galahad, but not so much with this one.

  “You seem like you want to say something.”

  How can he read me so clearly already? “It’s not my place.”

  He stepped closer again, and Aliana shifted back a fraction before realizing she had done it. He immediately stepped back, the corner of his luscious mouth turning down. “You made my sister happy. That entitles you to speak your mind with me.”

  She pondered her words carefully. “Maybe…if you gave her just a little freedom to spread her wings, she could find some confidence to be herself.”

  His face darkened a fraction, and he ran a hand over his evening stubble. Aliana held her breath, wondering if she had over stepped.

  He finally nodded once. “Perhaps. I will consider it.”

  Delight filled her and she felt a crack splinter through the walls she had built after her Galahad’s betrayal.

  “You are a good brother, Galahad.” She took a step to the side hoping that he would let her pass. Her savaged heart couldn’t take exposing herself again.

  But he didn’t move aside. If anything he shifted closer. “You intrigue me, Aliana.” His voice was so soft and sexy, and it was trying to worm its way past her defenses.

  His eyes were hypnotizing her again with the familiar confidence he always seemed to have. She was reminded of their moment in Avalon when they had been alone after escaping the Sidhe.

  Marching boots and the thunk of a staff hitting the ground just behind them startled her from Galahad’s spell. It wasn’t until his very warm hand moved on her bare shoulder that she saw she had instinctively moved closer to him.

  “It was just one of the guards,” he murmured, but he wasn’t looking at her. He was instead focused on his hand, the hand that was touching her bare skin.

  What was more terrifying was the fact Aliana felt none of the accustomed silver sparks that had always been so present between them.

  Where had their bond gone?

  6

  It’s a thin hope, D’s plan and mine, but it’s the only thing we could come up with to get Lia back, or at the very least to tell us where she is. We should really thank the guys for leaving all their scrolls and files all over the kitchen. And Flora for helping us with the papers we couldn’t read because of the weird languages. We just have to figure out what these “time mirrors” we read about are, where to find them, and how to use them. Each realm is supposed to have one. This would be easier if we told the guys, but they’re still hovering on a crazy cliff edge. They need to chill a bit first.

  ~Lacy

  ALIANA SPENT THE NIGHT DREAMING about the encounter on the beach, her last moments alone with her Arthur and Galahad. There were so many unresolved emotions zinging around her head and heart it felt like she was missing some unseen meaning of the dream.

  She was woken the next morning by a soft knock on her door. A servant girl brought in small plate of bread, fruit and oatmeal-like soup. Waving away the girl’s offer to help her dress, Aliana poured a glass of water, swishing it around before nibbling on a piece of mint next to her plate. It was the closest to toothpaste she was going to get here.

  “I want to explore the city a bit today,” she told the Dragon from behind the changing screen next to her bed. “It may be a long shot, but maybe I’ll get some idea of what it is Titania wants us to find here.”

  “You should invite Delphina to accompany you.”

  Aliana bristled at his suggestion. “I know I should…”

  “You cannot allow what you fear Arthur feels for her to discount her aid. Right now she’s our strongest ally.”

  Tightening the last string on the back of a very soft purple dress, Aliana held back a sigh. He was right again, but that was only because she knew of her connection to Titania. She slipped her feet into the thick soled boots Titania had clothed her in when she sent her here and pulled on the cream belt that had been wrapped with her new dress.

  Stepping out from behind the screen, Aliana stared out of the thin window that overlooked the ocean. She saw herself on the beach with Arthur, their passionate dance in the moonlight and the moment he had almost kissed her. It was only when he did kiss her, a week after that encounter, that she had realized that she had fallen hard for her golden king. She could still remember her distress when Galahad had seen them and attacked Arthur.

  Aliana massaged her temples, the shadow of those sharp connections with the guys trying to cut at her, making her ache all over again.

  “Are you all right?” Dagg’s cautious question made her think he knew what she was remembering.

  “How much did you see last night, exactly?”

  The little guardian silently regarded her. “You know what I saw. Your secret from the others, and all that happened while you were trapped with Mordrid.”

  Aliana’s heart kicked into a panic. Had he seen the kiss the dark wizard had laid on her? Or her memories of her parents’ deaths?

  “I didn’t have to see your memories to know that you are connected to both Galahad and Arthur. But I now understand why you disappeared from the beach.”

  She sagged a little, her knees almost giving out with relief. Maybe he hadn’t seen her personal nightmare. Heck, maybe he could even help her understand her feelings.

  “Those kinds of bonds, the way they live inside me can’t be normal, right?”

  He sighed. “There is not much about you that is normal, Aliana.”

  She flinched back. She had managed to get past a lot of her issues and doubts, since she first found out that she was the Destined One, but that one ache had never gone away. Knowing that her magic was so different that even the most powerful Druid who ever lived couldn’t explain it had also corroded away at her self-confidence.

  Dagg jumped from the bed, his leathery wings spreading wide as he soared to her side and wound himself around her shoulders like a stole. “You know I didn’t mean it like that, Aliana.” He rubbed his warm scaly cheek against hers, like a cat.

  She set the ache aside for now and scratched him behind his ears.

  “Okay, let’s get out of here and do some exploring.” She held out her hands for him. He d
ropped from her shoulders, his body shrinking and hardening to his bracelet form. Holding him in one hand, Aliana ran her finger over his bent wings which formed the cuff before securing him.

  Her fingers drifted from him to the prophecy stone that looked almost like it was fused to the top of her hand. The intricate pattern of winding silk-like strands formed a strange patterned glove that hooked around her middle finger and wrist. Opening her magical senses she felt the now familiar swirling burgundy-pink-colored magic that had fused itself with her own pink core of magic.

  “Time to go.” She grabbed the small pouch of money and hooked it to a small loop she had discovered in her sleeve. She didn’t think that was a normal place for people to keep their money, but clearly Titania had wanted her to use it.

  The heavy doors of her room swung open with a tiny creak, the heavy metal clicking behind her as she closed it. She made her way toward the stairs she had used last night, hoping that she would find Merlin in the great hall. He should know where she was going; he might even know someone she could talk to. She came to the hall on her left, the hall that led to Arthur’s rooms. Not knowing why, she glanced down the bright hall.

  Her eyes widened when she saw Delphina step out of a room, followed closely by Arthur.

  The king’s hand was wound together with the Fae’s and they talked in voices so low Aliana couldn’t hear more than a few murmurs. Then the girl laughed, stretched up and placed a lingering kiss on Arthur’s cheek. The very space surrounding them seemed charged with some kind of magic that wound itself around the pair, almost like it was connecting them.

  Something in her heart cracked and she turned away, dashing as quietly as possible toward the stairs. She blinked back unexpected tears. She knew what Arthur’s touches felt like, how they made her feel. She knew what he tasted like and how his lips felt against hers. Witnessing his affections for the woman who had haunted Arthur for so long was like a hot poker being stabbed into her stomach.

  The only reason Arthur could have fallen in love with her was because he truly didn’t know if his ghost girl was real. That had to be the reason her Arthur had let himself fall for the “Destined One.”