by L. H. Nicole
His shoulder’s straightened. “No. My decision on this is final.”
Distress flooded her again. She had to find a way to get away, no matter what these loyal knights and friends thought or said. This was her fault, and she would die before she let anyone else be hurt because they were after her.
“Aliana, do not do anything rash!” Dagg ordered.
Sunlight broke through the dark clouds that had descended on Aliana. She looked up at the queen who said, “We must prepare for Sophvira’s funeral pyre.”
Tears returned to Aliana’s eyes. She looked at all the knights, but her eyes kept drawing back to the silent Galahad who had only spoken ten words to her in the few hours since his sister’s death.
The sun had set by the time the funeral parade made its way down to the beach, lit by a wide path of blazing fire urns. The briny smell of the ocean had always been a great comfort to Aliana, having had so many wonderful memories on the beach by her house. But this time the familiar scent gave no comfort. It only added to the emptiness she felt in her chest and soul.
Leyon, Lancelot, Owaine and Gawain carried Vira’s pale body on a decorative display overflowing with flowers, jewelry, and colored ribbons of silk. She was dressed in the green dress she had gotten for the opening celebration of Camelot’s anniversary, her dark hair curled and sprawled around her head like a dark halo.
Aliana walked between Arthur and Merlin, behind Delphina and Guin who were on either side of a silent, stone faced Galahad. Merlin and Morgana had returned shortly after they got their truth from the traitorous Raven. Morgana had crumbled to the floor when she was told the news; her agonizing sobs still ringing in Aliana’s ears, mingling with the more silent sounds of Delphina and Guinevere’s. Even Merlin shed silent, angry tears for the lost little sister. Aliana had no doubt that Morgana was innocent in this murder.
More of Aliana’s own tears slid silently down her cheeks, but she clenched her jaw even harder to keep from letting the sobs she didn’t deserve to cry escape her mouth. She wouldn’t deserve to grieve Vira’s murder until she had found a way to make things right, until she’d found an impossible way to earn forgiveness for placing such a wonderfully sweet and totally innocent girl in the path of death.
As they neared the water, a small boat came into view. It was filled with branches of green leaves, a single bright torch strapped to the head of the boat illuminating the vessel that would take Vira’s body and spirit to heaven. It was decorated with more of the same flowers and ribbons that covered her body. The four honor guard knights waded into the water, lifting Vira’s body above the edge of the boat and settling her on the morbidly beautiful altar in the waiting vessel.
Galahad stepped forward, a bouquet of flowers tied together with silk in his hands. He made his way to the boat, while his brother knights and all the other members of the court watched quietly. He stepped up to the side of the boat and tucked the bundle of colored blooms in his sister’s pale and still hands. He brushed her face with his fingers, bent over like he was whispering something in her ear, and kissed her forehead lovingly.
He stepped back and nodded to his four brothers. All of them gripped the boat. Together they launched it into the open ocean. They watched it float out with the gentle tide as they returned to the sand.
Arthur lifted his hand and a dozen archers stepped forward, arrows lit with tips of fire in their hands. They nocked the flaming arrows, raised their bows and took aim.
Galahad bowed to the king.
Arthur lowered his hand. The swish of the arrows flying from the bows was loud enough to drown out the sobs from the people around them. They sailed through the cloudy night sky like shooting stars before landing in Vira’s funeral boat. The kindling caught fire, blazing to life like a moving torch as the clouds in the sky parted and the bright light of the full moon shone down on the lost member of their family, like the heavens themselves mourned the teen’s loss.
After a long moment, Galahad turned back to the beach, his brothers by his side in a show of support.
Aliana’s teary green eyes found his dull, pain-filled blue ones in the light of the fires raging on the beach. Their gazes held. She could read the despair that was churning in him, saw how he was trying to be strong for his sister, his family and himself.
Her lips trembled along with her hands. She wanted to go to him and hold him, to give him comfort. Aliana hated seeing him look so alone and lost. Her feet refused to move, her body locked with guilt. Why would he want comfort from the one who was the cause of his beloved sister’s death?
Delphina went to him instead. She reached up, cupped his cheeks with her hands, and brushed away a tear with her thumb. Galahad’s head bent and she pulled him gently toward her. That was when he broke and wrapped her in his arms, burying his face in her neck and apricot-colored hair.
Aliana’s heart broke even more, sadness filling her. But the angry voice in her head screamed that she didn’t deserve the knight. That Delphina was the one who should be comforting him.
The Fae held on to Galahad for what felt like an age before pulling him aside and back up toward the castle.
Arthur’s hand touched Aliana’s shoulder, drawing her mournful, wet gaze from Vira’s floating pyre.
“You are shaking. We should get you back inside.” He unhooked the thick cloak he wore and went to drape it around her shoulders.
She took a step back, shaking her head silently.
He frowned. Aliana saw Merlin nod once from her peripheral vision. His cloak draped over his arm, Arthur wrapped his arm around Aliana’s waist and led her back to the castle. They passed the sobbing Guin and Lancelot, who had both treated Vira like their own child.
Aliana sniffled, trying to fight back more tears, knowing that more death was still coming. She made a silent vow to herself and the universe that, no matter what it took, she wouldn’t let Guinevere suffer Sophvira’s fate. She would find a way to be sure Lancelot got his Guinevere. That they would get to spend the rest of their lives together.
25
It happens almost every hour now; my madness is taking over too quickly. Three times now I have chased a figure I believe to be my lost love to that small temple. Her voice, her pleas for me to save her are like a broken record on repeat in my mind. I try to lose myself in our research of the Grail and the hunt for this blasted bloody mysterious Atlantian. Merlin has had word from Wade and the others in Avalon. They have found the Well. Galahad has defeated its guardian and Dawn has a strong plan to use it, as Lacy and the king do in the Isle. It is the only good news we have had. I hear Guinevere’s voice again. When is this nightmare going to end?
~Lancelot
ALIANA HADN’T SLEPT for a single second. Every time she had closed her eyes she saw the flaming arrows falling like stars on the ship that had carried Vira away into the night. She had seen the way Galahad slumped into Delphina’s comforting arms, and how she saw him back to the castle. Even worse than that heart crushing image was the haunting sight of Vira’s body, sprawled dead on the floor of her room, where Aliana had discovered her less than twenty four hours ago.
It didn’t matter what the guys had said. It was her fault and she had to find a way to set it right. No matter what they all thought or insisted, she couldn’t stay here. She had to find the map and then find a way home.
But Arthur had been true to his order. The clanking of the endless number of guards that patrolled the hall outside her room had added to the haunting, sleepless night. And before that, Arthur and one of the other knights had remained at her side while the last preparations had been made for Vira’s funeral.
The sun was just starting to rise when she finally rolled out of bed. An equally tired and weary Dagg watched her go behind the screen to get dressed.
He had little to say, just like her, after telling her that he couldn’t find any trace of Viviane, and that the room that would become Morgana’s evil hideout was still undisturbed. “I know what you are thinking,” he remi
nded her, his ageless voice soft and grumbly.
Aliana stepped from behind the screen and turned her back to Dagg so he could tighten the strings on her dress. Her shaking fingers couldn’t grip it tight enough. “You know I’m right about this, Dagg.”
His claws tied off the strings before coming to hover in front of her. “We knew she would die, Aliana. As much as it hurts, this was destined to happen.”
Her anger flared. “Do not mention destiny right now! We have no idea what was or is meant to happen! We suspect and hope that my being here hasn’t messed with history’s timeline, but we have no way of knowing that for sure! And if I had never been reckless and impulsive and agreed to do Titania’s stupid task, this might have never happened!”
Dagg’s amethyst eyes flared with his own anger. “Aliana, stop this. You are doing nothing to help yourself or Vira or Galahad.”
She crossed her arms and looked past him, out the window wondering if she could use her magic to help her escape out of the castle that way.
Dagg’s hot, scaly claws gripped her face and turned her eyes away from the window. “We cannot run away from this. If you want to help our friends, you have to stay and finish what we’ve started. You owe it to them, to our family in the future and to Sophvira! Running away is the coward’s way out.”
She pulled his claws from her face, her cheeks heating. “I am a coward! Running is the only thing I can do right!”
“You are anything but a coward. You have proven that many times since you first stepped foot in Avalon and freed me and Galahad, and especially when you awoke Arthur! How many opportunities have you been given to turn your back from the prophecy of the Destined One, hmm?”
Aliana held his impassioned gaze for a heartbeat before looking away at the floor.
“You have not failed once since taking up this destiny. You cannot start now by abandoning King Arthur and his knights.”
Aliana sank into her chair, her guardian and friend’s words warring with her own guilt. She knew for certain now she didn’t deserve Galahad or Arthur. But she still needed their help. She thought briefly of going to Merlin, trying to convince him that he alone was all the help she needed. But even he, last night after returning, had agreed that she couldn’t do this without all of them.
“You are right. I have to do this for the guys if no one else.” She ran her hands through her loose hair. “I just wish Lacy and Dawn were here with me. I really need their support right now!”
Aliana sat back and, after a second, took a deep breath, then got up. “We should go tell Arthur and get the others so I can finish my story from the other night. Tell them about my upcoming trip to the Underworld.”
Dagg nodded, satisfaction relaxing his features as he returned to his bracelet form and she slid him into place on her wrist.
Aliana went to the door. The two guards she vaguely remembered meeting last night turned as she opened the heavy door.
“G’mornin’, m’lady,” they greeted her.
“Good morning. I need to go speak to Merlin; it is a matter of urgency.”
“Yes, m’lady,” the taller one said, then glanced at his counterpart. “But we must tell the king first. Our orders, you understand.”
The other guard took off toward Arthur’s room.
“Fine, you’ve done your duty.” She turned to head toward the stairs and Merlin’s chambers.
The guard’s gloved hand gripped her arm. She turned to him, jerking her arm from his loose grip.
He looked sheepish, but stood his ground. “Our orders are that you are not to go anywhere without an escort, m’lady.”
Aliana rolled her eyes, “Then let’s go,” she huffed, turning again. This time she avoided his grabby hand and made her way to the stairs.
“M’lady, wait. We are supposed to await the king’s word,” he called, his chainmail clanking as he hurried to catch up to her. By the time he did, they had already passed the great hall and rounded the corner that would lead to the wing of the castle Merlin resided in.
She saw Gawain just ahead, but didn’t make a move to stop. If she did she might chicken out and not tell the guys the truth.
“Aliana?” Gawain questioned. “Where are you going in such a hurry? Why is Arthur or Galahad not with you?”
Aliana shrugged, taking a breath to steady herself. “I need to get Merlin, and…I…I need to speak to you and Arthur and all the other knights.”
Gawain’s face darkened. He watched her for a long moment like he was trying to see inside her head. “All right,” he finally said, stepping back. “I’ll gather the others at the round table.” He looked past her to the guard following her. The man nodded to the knight.
Gawain touched her cheek briefly, a caress of support. He moved on before Aliana could turn her head away.
She watched him go, then made her way to Merlin’s door. She knocked once, the door opening just as quickly.
“I thought you might be coming to see me,” the Druid said, taking a step back to allow her in.
“What are you doing here?” Morgana spat, her face blotchy as she shot up from the ottoman she had been sitting on. Aliana flinched at the bitter venom in her voice.
“Morgana!” Merlin warned. He stepped between the two women. “Calm down. We are all upset and hurting.”
Aliana looked at the Sorceress, her insides churning and twisting when she saw a glimpse of the vengeful, hateful Morgana she had always known. The air rushed from her lungs. No, this couldn’t be the reason Morgana turned on the knights too!
“Aliana, what was it you wanted?” Merlin asked, his voice softer and kinder.
“We need to tell King Arthur and the others.”
Those nine words were all she needed to say for the Druid to understand what she meant. His face set in resigned lines before he nodded.
“Gawain is already gathering everyone in the great hall.”
Merlin turned back to Morgana and held his hand out to her.
The woman looked at Aliana with such hate and sadness, it was a wonder she wasn’t ten feet under already. Morgana’s face softened as she took Merlin’s hand and rose to her feet. With her chin raised high, she glided past Aliana, Merlin following with an apologetic grimace.
They were in the throne room in minutes. Everyone but Delphina and the queen was already gathered around the large round table by the blazing fire pit.
Tremors started to race through her muscles, but she fought them as much as she could, even taking advantage of the reassurance that Dagg sent her through their bond.
Guinevere came to her and hugged her fiercely. “This is not your fault,” she whispered. “Vira wouldn’t want you to blame yourself like this.”
Guinevere knew the teen girl better than any, and she wanted so much to believe what the redheaded woman said, but Aliana’s guilt wouldn’t allow the hope to settle. She pulled back and Guin returned to Lancelot’s arms.
The guys all watched her, concern and curiosity mixing with their remaining sorrow. Morgana took a seat at the table, Merlin standing by her side. Aliana stood alone facing all the people who were and would become her family.
“We never got to finish our conversation from the other night.”
She knew Merlin had told Morgana about her search for the Grail and her magic. Now, as much as she hated it, she had to be very careful about what she said. She couldn’t risk Morgana tipping off Viviane.
Since they were alone in the throne room, Dagg took his true form. Aliana couldn’t help but see the anger darkening the girl’s hazel eyes.
The corner of Arthur’s mouth turned up a little. Galahad just watched her silently.
“I am very sorry I’ve kept so much from all of y’all for so long.”
“We know and we understand,” Arthur said shifting to sit taller in his chair. “It does not change our resolve to help you, to protect you.”
“I don’t believe it!” Morgana hissed, rising from her seat. Merlin gripped her shoulder to stop her f
rom storming over to her.
“Everything is going to be all right, my love,” he assured her, then turned to Arthur. “Sire, I apologize for keeping this from you, as well, but I also believed it best to keep this knowledge a secret.”
Aliana dropped her eyes as Dagg turned and wound himself around her shoulders. She stroked his wings again, trying to keep her courage together to tell them all the rest. “There is more to my quest y’all need to know.”
“Like how you will find this map that you say leads to the Grail of Power?” Owaine tossed in.
“Or why you even need it,” Percy added sending her a smile.
“Delphina has also told us what she told you about the Grail and its creation,” Gawain assured her.
Leyon spoke up from his seat next to Galahad. “Do you know where it is? We need to plan the best strategy to retrieve it.”
She looked at all of them. She saw no reproach in their faces, only friendly support, but she feared that wouldn’t last for long. There was still more she had to tell.
Before she could continue the great hall doors swung open, a draft wafting through the room.
The queen and Delphina entered, three unidentified men trailing behind them.
Arthur came forward, stepping to Aliana’s side, his hand hovering loosely near Excalibur. All the other knights got to their feet, watching the newcomers with great interest.
Aliana gazed past Delphina and the queen, her eyes widening when she saw the dark hair, pale yellow eyes and skin so white it was slightly tinted blue. They were Fae! Warrior Fae based on the weapons they carried.
“Your majesty,” Delphina said formally, curtsying to Arthur. “Forgive our interruption, but these emissaries of my Queen Titania have arrived with disturbing news I thought you needed to hear immediately.”
She stepped aside as the three Fae bowed their heads to Arthur. The one in the middle stood a little forward, and had an air of superiority to him. He was the leader of this company, most likely. “Great king, I am Falorn, a general in the queen’s army.” He motioned to his two companions with a sweep of his hand. “These are my seconds, D’varin and Echary.” Both men bowed to the king.
