Table of Contents
Title Page
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
The King’s Lady
To my husband Curt whose love and support made this book possible. And Gypsy, what can I say except thanks for being a part of this journey and being my sounding board when I get stressed. A special thank you to my editor Jay Austin, your passion for books, hard work and dedication make my stories shine. I am so very grateful to you. Your encouragement and insight is much appreciated. And of course to you, the readers who made it possible for me to reach for my dream. This book is for you.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
About the Author
King Arthur and his Knights are back and ready to kick ass!
Arthur Penner is more than happy to aid a lady in need of help, especially if the woman is targeted by his nemesis Vance Hollister. The fact the lady in question turns out to be not only a powerful witch, but a gorgeous red head with a wealth of curves that don’t quit? Even better.
What he isn’t prepared for is the discovery that the woman just happens to be his reincarnated Queen Guinevere, and worse, she has no memory of who he is.
His well-ordered life is crumbling around him as yet another surprise turns up in the form of his reincarnated sister. It seems the past is swallowing him whole, forcing him to let go of previous betrayals and trust once more.
Gwen McAllister finds herself between a rock and a hard spot. Drawn to the quiet strength and confidence of Arthur. It isn’t until her memories are savagely restored by a vengeful goddess that she realizes who she is and the bitter betrayal she caused. Even her familiar, a mouthy Himalayan named Salt seems to be against her, demanding she trust the very man she destroyed..
A new threat is rising, one which will plunge the world they know into darkness. To defeat an old enemy they must depend on each other and learn to forgive. A tall order and time is running out. Can they let go of the past and embrace the promise of a future or will they lose everything in the ultimate battle between good and evil?
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
The King’s Lady
Copyright © 2013 Shannan Albright
ISBN: 978-1-77111-479-0
Cover art by Carmen Walters
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by eXtasy Books
Look for us online at:
www.eXtasybooks.com
The King’s Lady
Knights of Excalibur
By
Shannan Albright
To my husband Curt whose love and support made this book possible. And Gypsy, what can I say except thanks for being a part of this journey and being my sounding board when I get stressed. A special thank you to my editor Jay Austin, your passion for books, hard work and dedication make my stories shine. I am so very grateful to you. Your encouragement and insight is much appreciated. And of course to you, the readers who made it possible for me to reach for my dream. This book is for you.
Chapter One
Pismo Beach, California
Gwen McAllister frowned at the man standing at her door, scrutinizing her unexpected visitor oozing arrogance mixed with a serious lethal vibe. Glad she had the screen door locked between them.
Not that it mattered much if he wanted in, but if he tried to force the issue, she had an arsenal of nasty spells ready to put him down. The thought reassured her.
Her perusal noted the glossy thickness of his hair pulled away from aristocratic features all masculine angles and planes. High cheekbones firm jaw and deep-blue eyes fringed with thick black lashes any woman would die to have. His broad shoulders and muscular chest stretched his blue polo shirt in all the right places. A narrow waist and long powerfully built legs, the man was a sexual fantasy most women would pant over.
For her? Not much.
Perhaps it was the cold calculation in his gaze, which swept over her from head to toe, leaving her with the familiar sense she didn’t meet his standards. Or the fact something about him waved a huge red flag with the words wrong in big and bold pinged through her mind.
Whatever the cause she couldn’t ignore the soft clang of warning bells sounding off in the back of her mind.
First impressions being of utmost importance—or so her aunt Carlotta always said—this man was sadly lacking in her opinion. Which happened to be the defining reason she stood on the other side of a locked screen, magical bag of weapons at the ready.
The soft brush against her ankles drew her attention to a rather large and very demanding familiar. With snowy white fur long and lustrous, the Himalayan eyed their unwanted visitor with an air of disdain only a cat could manage.
With a twitch of his whiskered nose, he turned his blue gaze on Gwen. He smells wrong to me, Wen, don’t trust him.
Now for anyone else the idea of a talking cat would freak them the hell out. For Gwen being a witch and all well, not so much. I couldn’t agree with you more Salt. I just wonder what he really is after, she concurred on the telepathic link the two shared.
“Miss McAllister, I’m afraid I have rather distressing news that would better be given to you inside.”
Right, fat chance of that happening, buddy. She gave him her sweetest smile. “You can say what you wish from right there, Mr. Hollister.”
She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at the irritation that sparked in his dark eyes.
“I have news of your Aunt. She charged me to see to your safety.”
The first stirrings of unease settled in her stomach. “What about my aunt?”
“I’m afraid to say she was murdered yesterday.”
Shock careened through her at his words making her head buzz and heart lurch painfully in her chest. She had to have misunderstood him. If Carlotta passed she surely would have felt it. Wouldn’t she?
Salt can you sense Lottie? She sent to her familiar, silently prying to Hecate this nasty man was wrong.
Wen, I don’t get anything, but a blank where she should be.”
“Murdered you say. How…why?” Gwen barely got the words out past the lump which suddenly lodged in her throat.
“This discussion really needs to happen inside.” He pointed out with a hint of his growing impatience.
She didn’
t trust her voice to speak at the moment so she unlocked the screen door and opened it. Perhaps not the smartest move, but she needed the info and something told her the guy would withhold what she needed until he got in.
She followed him as he moved past her and into her small living room. She blinked back the tears and tried not to think about how truly alone she found herself now. With Carlotta gone, she had no one left. Her aunt being the last remaining link to her parents who drowned in a boating accident when she was just a baby, Carlotta raised her, was the closest thing to a mother she ever had.
How had Carlotta died and who would ever want to kill her? Those questions rattled around in her stunned brain, circling in a repetitive pattern. She needed to stay calm, there would be plenty of time to fall apart once she was alone. Alone, what a frighteningly lonely word that suddenly became. Grief swelled in her chest and for a moment, she couldn’t draw a breath. Emptiness latched onto her, threatening to swallow her whole.
“I think you should sit down. You look like you’re ready to pass out.”
His voice pulled her out of the darkness of her thoughts his hand on her arm cold and firm. She yanked out of his grasp as if burned and sat in her faded blue recliner while he sat on the edge of her equally faded sofa. His nose twitched in disgust at the early Salvation Army rejects that consisted of her furniture. If the situation were different, she would have snickered at his obvious repugnance. But things weren’t different, were they? And this man with his news turned her whole world upside down. She hated him for that alone.
“Tell me what happened to my aunt,” she rasped out of her constricted throat. Salt leapt onto her lap, curling into her lap eyes locked onto the unwelcomed guest, growling a whole lot of attitude.
“She was murdered trying to save a life. The men who killed her work for Temple Security and Investigations.”
She sensed falseness in the words, something was off. He left something important out of the story. One of her gifts was ferreting out lies. There was little doubt he was glossing over the facts. Her instinct screamed the man across from her was not one of the good guys.
And she always trusted her instincts.
“And why would these men kill Aunt Lottie, exactly?” She was calm on the outside, but on the inside her stomach did a twisted jitterbug while the emptiness inside her chest cavity threatened to expand and swallow her whole.
“These are dangerous men, Miss McAllister your aunt just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She asked me to see to your welfare, those were her last words before she died. I promised I would and I’m a man of my word.”
She doubted that, her internal lie detector emitting a high-pitched alarm droning through her head. She kept her face neutral, not about to give herself away or let him know she was on to him. “I appreciate your concern, Mr. Hollister, but I can take care of myself. Thank you for your sense of medieval chivalry though. Now if you tell me where I can pick up my aunt’s body, so I can make the proper arrangements for her funeral.”
“Her, arrangements have already been seen to. It is the least I can do for you to ease the financial burden off your shoulders.”
Anger prickled up her spine and lessened the hollowness in her chest. “I appreciate your generosity, but must really insist on taking care of my aunt myself. I think it’s time for you to leave now.” Yeah, so she may not be wallowing in cash, but the thought of being beholden to this guy? Not happening in this life.
He gave her a predatory smile. A flash of teeth she could imagine snapping at her throat. Salt hissed, arching his back in a defensive stance on her lap.
“Ah, there is the fire. I was beginning to wonder if you had anything worthwhile in you.”
Back off, Salt I don’t need you in the middle of this one,” she warned her cat who gave the man one more hiss before jumping off her lap.
“Now that you know I am not a complete idiot to believe the crap you’ve been spewing, you need to go while you still can,” she warned him softly.
He stood slowly, his dark gaze glittering with malice. The vibe he threw off promised a whole lot of pain.
“Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way we can get to the business at hand. Let me tell you how this is going down so there is no misconception. You are leaving with me and there is nothing you can do to stop it. You will give me everything I need, including your life, and will be happy to oblige once I am finished with you.”
“I won’t be taken easily.”
His grin widened, his eyes sparking with true pleasure. “I do hope so, Miss. McAllister, I do hope so.”
* * * *
Arthur parked his black SUV up a block from the immaculate little pink and white house. A literal gods damn white picket fence surrounded the property and sported a huge elm tree complete with rose bushes lining the path up to a small porch. Quaint came to mind when he spotted it, a perfect home sweet home, something of a surprise.
He didn’t have a clue what he expected. Perhaps something edging on dark and gloomy? After all, he was dealing with a witch—something he never dealt with before—and well, the three witches in Macbeth popped into his brain. Definitely not normal any town USA.
He glanced up at the rearview mirror, his gaze catching the four pairs of eyes staring back at him. His men…and women all pledged to join him in ridding an evil which touched all of their lives. He feared by the time this war finished they were going to be subjected to more pain, compliments from one evil sorcerer type called Mordred now in the skin of one Vance Hollister.
Gods, he was tired.
Tired of shouldering the burdens of leadership, worrying about losing his men to such evil, damn tired of all of it. He couldn’t remember the last time he relaxed, went fishing or took a ride up Old Highway One and took in the scenic sights, the jagged line where the sea beat against the rocky, unyielding coast, leaving spectacular, majestic cliffs gouged deep from the wave’s incessant pounding.
He looked at Drake and Merci through the mirror, noticed their twined fingers. Those two went through hell and back for each other. Drake’s blond head bent close to Merci’s raven locks as he murmured something in her ear, bringing a flush of color to spread across her delicate cheekbones. Once known as Merlin, Drake and Merci only weeks past battled the goddess Nimue and with the help of Viviane—the one and only Lady of the Lake from legend—succeeded in breaking her curse which unbound his powers. Drake had feared a relationship with Merci since she was a direct descendant of Morgan le Fey. Merci held the powers of light and dark inside her, locked in constant battle, funny thing how love could be the great equalizer and the answer to defeating both of their demons. Now they were expecting a child. And the happiness they shared was almost too much for Arthur to bear.
Envious? Hell yes, he could acknowledge it, if only to himself.
His gaze traveled to Colin and Juliet, who only days ago survived a brutal attack from Vance. Juliet’s druidic powers were strong and her ability to take the will from any living thing and bend it to her wishes the whole reason Vance wanted her.
Again, Vance lost out, love being the catalyst to saving them when a woman named Carlotta threw herself in front of a death spell meant for them. Her dying words a plea for the safekeeping of her niece who just happened to be a witch.
The love conquers all cliché seemed alive and kicking.
Go figure.
Arthur gave his passenger a quick glance. Neil Calder, the first in the group of merry knights to marry, brought experience in military intelligence and combat to the table. His wife Andrea was at the compound working her own brand of magic with computer gadgets and the weaponry she developed for the men.
The weight of responsibility nearly buried him alive. Hating the fact, he needed every one of them to fight this war. And now he had an unknown he vowed to protect. A witch no one knew anything about. And if he knew Vance, he would be doing his damndest to get his hands on.
A very bad beginning and with his luck, it
would only go downhill from there.
Arthur took a deep breath, his mind churning over possible ways to extract the witch with the least risk to her. “I saw two of Vance’s men in the front, possibly more in the back.”
Neil pulled his gun from the shoulder harness and attached the silencer, black metal glinting in the sun’s rays like polished obsidian. “I’ll take the back.”
“Not without me, boyo,” Colin chimed in, his Irish brogue heavy with menace. “I have some payback to give to those lads.”
Drake chuckled darkly. “I have your back, Arthur, Merci and I will take care of any interference in the front and have it clear before you hit the front step. Isn’t that right, love?”
“Oh yeah, nothing makes my day better than hearing a grown man scream like a little girl.” Merci grinned wickedly.
Juliet laughed, the sound light, musical, belying just how lethal she could be. “I’m sure I can whip up something interesting for Vance and his goons.”
“Good, it’s settled then. Let’s move, people.”
Arthur took the sidewalk at a slow stroll, pulling in a deep breath of fresh salty air. The early afternoon sun broke through the light fog in hazy patches of sunlight. He found the town charming with the neatly kept lawns and painted homes, small cozy bed and breakfasts, store fronts sporting souvenirs for the countless tourists who passed through on the way to Los Angeles. He couldn’t see living in such a town as this, his life too fast-paced and sporadic for such an idle life. However, if he had the choice, this would be where he would settle.
He cursed under his breath. No use wishing for what could never be. His life could only be about responsibilities and protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves. Always had been and he didn’t see that changing anytime soon, if ever.
He knew his men kept watch over him as he made his way to the witch’s home. He saw one of Vance’s men move from the shadows of the large elm tree and approach, his hand reaching inside his jacket and knew he reached for a gun. He felt no fear as he stared the man straight in the eye and smiled.
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