by LH Nicole
“May I ask you a question?” he asked. Aliana placed the apple core on the ground as she gazed up at him and nodded. “Can your camera capture a human’s image in the same way?” His eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She knew she shouldn’t, but she really wanted a picture of Galahad. “Yes, let me show you.” She pulled the camera off her shoulder and stood, adjusting the settings for night time and pointed the camera at him.
“Stop, my lady!” he ordered.
She did, confused by the sudden change in his demeanor. “What’s wrong?”
Galahad remained silent and it dawned on her—when photography had first been invented, many cultures thought that it would take a part of a person’s soul. Though that was long after his time, he might think the same. He was probably afraid it would take a part of him.
“Galahad, I won’t deny that a picture takes a fragment of a person, but it’s not what you’re thinking. Can I show you? Please.” She used her big kitten eyes on him. She wanted him to understand the thing she loved the most—and he would be amazing in her photos.
He let out a small sigh, slowly nodding his head. Aliana bit back a smile as she snapped a few frames, making sure to capture his beautiful eyes.
“All done,” she announced. “Now, did that hurt?”
The corners of Galahad’s mouth turned up in a smile. “May I see them?”
“Take a look.”
She handed him the camera, and Galahad’s body froze as he studied the picture of himself. At first, his eyebrows pinched together, then his eyes widened. He seemed confused for a second before his features smoothed into a flat expression, like he had shut down his emotions.
He hasn’t seen himself in several hundred years. It must be a shock. Aliana moved closer to him, placing her hands on his, still holding her camera. She hoped she could help calm whatever intense emotions she suspected he was hiding.
“Are you okay? It must be a bit shocking at first, seeing yourself that way, but it’s a really good thing. I promise.”
He remained silent, glancing at her hands on his. He cleared his throat before saying, “Queen Titania would most likely enjoy having you capture her image this way.”
Aliana felt her jaw go slack. “Queen Titania, as in queen of the Fae? As in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Queen Titania? Wait, does that mean Oberon exists?”
Galahad nodded, smiling at Aliana’s stunned expression. “I do not know this Shakespeare, but I assume you have heard of Queen Titania, then?” he said, trying to hide his amusement.
“Of course I know of her. Everyone does!” Aliana paused for a moment, her lips twitching at the corners. “Did you just try to be funny, Galahad?” Unbelievable! One minute he was being a domineering he-man and the next he was cracking dry jokes.
“I do not know what you’re talking about, my lady.” His face was serious, but his blue eyes twinkled with mirth.
“You are full of surprises, Sir Galahad.” Aliana smiled, letting go of her disappointment from earlier and accepting that they could perhaps become friends.
“If you two are done, I’ve brought someone to see you.”
Aliana’s head snapped around to see Dagg wearing a big grin. The Dragon flew out from the trees, and behind him was J’alel, in all his elven glory—his sword hung at his side, his longbow strung across his back, and his black hair lifting with the breeze.
“J’alel!” Aliana smiled brightly. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been patrolling close to the keep. I wanted to see if you were truly the Destined One. I see now that you must be.” J’alel looked from her to Galahad. The Elf focused his narrowed gaze over Galahad like he was sizing up an opponent. Likewise, Galahad had been watching every move J’alel had made since stepping out of the woods.
“J’alel, this is Sir Galahad. Galahad, this is J’alel.”
Galahad extended his arm to J’alel, and without hesitation, the Elf gripped the knight’s forearm—a warrior’s greeting now lost in history.
“My grandfather told me much about you, Lord Knight,” J’alel said. “He wished he had been there for you when the Sidhe attacked.”
“You look just like him,” Galahad said. “S’han was a good Elf. He helped us greatly when we first came to Avalon. Does he still live?”
“Alas, he passed to the light five cycles ago. But he did make his wishes clear to me: if you were to be freed in my time, I am to help you in your quest to protect the sleeping king.”
“We would be glad of any help you can provide. And I already owe you great thanks for saving Lady Aliana from the Goblins earlier.”
J’alel looked at her, and Aliana arched her eyebrow. Why were they carrying on a conversation like she wasn’t there? “It was indeed my pleasure.” The Elf smiled. “And I have another who wanted to see you.” He turned toward the woods, whistling.
Galahad stepped close to Aliana. He was tense again, his hand resting on his sword. He and the Elf had seemed to get along well just moments ago, so she didn’t understand why Galahad wouldn’t trust him.
Before she could think any more on it, she saw her Pegasus emerge from the trees. “No way!” She giggled, running over the creature. “Hey, girl.” The flying horse gave a happy whinny, butting her head into Aliana’s hands, demanding to be petted. Aliana laughed and stroked the soft, tan pelt. “I’m glad to see you too…Belle.” She thought the name suited her new friend. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she? I’m so glad you saved her from those Goblins, J’alel.” Her smile faded for a moment. “After seeing what the Sidhe did, I can only imagine what would’ve happened to Belle.”
J’alel bowed his head to Aliana. “I am glad I came across both of you. Belle, as you are calling her, has stayed with me this whole time. She has been just as worried about you as I have been.”
“As much as I’ve enjoyed this conversation,” Dagg said, interrupting the trio, “we should pack a few of these apples and start making our way to King Arthur’s hollow.”
“How far are we from him, Sir Galahad?” Aliana asked.
“A day’s walk, perhaps.” He looked from her to the Pegasus pressed close to her side. “However, if your friend wouldn’t mind giving us a ride, we could be there before the moon reaches its peak.”
Aliana stiffened as Belle tossed her head, flaring her wings wide. “You mean we would have her run us there?” Aliana asked, hoping she had misunderstood their intent. But she was rarely that lucky.
“No, I mean she could fly us,” Galahad stated.
Aliana gulped and felt herself turn a few shades of green. “Are you trying to be funny again?”
Galahad grinned devilishly. “You brave the Red Wind forest and the Sidhe’s tower by yourself, yet now you are frightened of flying on a Pegasus?” He crossed his arms over his broad chest before stepping closer to her. Aliana now stood surrounded by all four of her strange companions.
“I am not frightened.” Okay, so that one was a lie. “But I couldn’t fall hundreds of feet to the ground in the forest or the keep.”
“No, you just got trapped by the Sidhe’s magic and fell from crumbling stairs,” Galahad pointed out.
Aliana opened her mouth to defend herself, but J’alel spoke up first. “And, if I may add, you nearly had a Goblin’s arrow shot through you and your friend here.”
Aliana glanced between the two men, jaw tightening. So what if she’d had a few issues earlier? “You’re telling me that riding a flying horse with no saddle or reins never ended badly?”
“You seem to forget that I will be with you. Do you not trust me to protect you?” Galahad’s eyes bored into hers. “The issue is settled.” He looked past her to the Pegasus.
Belle rubbed the side of her head along Aliana’s shoulder, trying to give comfort. Aliana stared up at the bright moon that lit their entire surroundings. Lord save me from the arrogance of men! “Fine. But when I fall to my death, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She turned her back to the two smug men, m
uttering to herself about arrogant males.
A hand gripped her elbow, jerking her back around and into a hard chest. Stunned, she gazed up into Galahad’s fiery blue eyes. “I will see to your safety, my lady. Do not doubt that.”
Unable to speak, Aliana nodded her answer.
J’alel cleared his throat. “Belle says she will gladly assist you in any way she can.”
Aliana broke away from Galahad, blushing as she met the Elf’s amused eyes. She pursed her lips in annoyance at him.
“So how am I supposed to get up there without a saddle? In case the two of you haven’t noticed, Belle here is, like, twice the size of any normal horse.”
The Pegasus kneeled down on the ground with her wings flared so Aliana wouldn’t step on them. “Guess that answers that,” she muttered to herself. Even lying on the ground, Belle came up to her waist. As she was preparing to throw her leg over the large creature, a pair of strong hands gripped her about the waist and easily lifted her onto the animal.
Belle’s muscles shifted under her silky pelt as she rose to stand. With a small squeak, Aliana grabbed onto the snow-white mane, holding so tightly her fingers started to ache. She glanced at the three guys who were all watching her. Daggerhorne chuckled while J’alel smiled luminously. Galahad was the worst, staring at her with a smirk on his lips.
She blushed, beyond embarrassed, as she awkwardly adjusted her seat. “I hope y’all enjoyed that. Can we go now?” At least she’d be able to enjoy watching Galahad struggle to get onto Belle’s back.
As if reading her thoughts, Galahad placed his hands on the Pegasus and pulled himself up, swinging his leg behind her as easily as if he were floating. He settled himself flush against Aliana from his chest all the way to her thighs. Calm as ever, he enclosed her in his arms, wrapping one around her waist and grabbing a handful of Belle’s mane with his other hand.
“This seems like a really bad idea.” Her heart beat so strongly that she was afraid Galahad would hear it.
With a chuckle, the knight turned back to J’alel. “We will send word to you after we awaken the king, but in the meantime, Aliana told me of a TreTale that has been cursed with dark magic. Can you track it and find out what its master was after?”
J’alel, who had been absently stroking Belle’s neck, looked shocked. “Do you fear it was searching for the Destined One?”
Galahad nodded as Aliana shook her head wearily.
“Guys, I had just gotten to Avalon. How could anyone even know to look for me?”
J’alel nodded to Galahad. “I will see to it. I hope to have an answer for you when you return.”
“Thank you,” Galahad said.
“Fine, just go ahead and ignore my opinions.” Aliana fumed.
Dagg landed on Belle’s head, shaking his head. “It would be unwise to not investigate, Aliana.”
She sighed. She just couldn’t catch a break with these guys!
“We need to go.” Galahad tightened his grip on her waist, kicking his heels into Belle’s flanks and causing the Pegasus to rear up.
Aliana shrieked, tightening her death grip on the mane in her hands. Belle took two leaping steps, flapping her large wings and lifting into the night sky.
Aliana squeezed her eyes shut, trying to bury herself against Galahad. Her breath came in gasps as the cool air whipped over her face.
“I will not let anything happen to you,” Galahad whispered into her ear.
Still terrified, she cracked one eye open and saw a beautiful star-studded sky. The mountains in the distance, covered with thick trees, and a rushing river below all glowed in the moon’s silver light. The shining crescent was the largest she had ever seen. It seemed so close, like she could just reach out and touch it.
Laughing, Aliana realized that she had relaxed, even loosened her grip on Belle. “This is all so beautiful!” She wished that the world would stand still so she could live in this moment for the rest of time.
Dagg flew close to them, his Dragonish smirk firmly in place. “I hope this means there will be no more screaming.” Aliana stuck out her tongue at him, noticing he was carrying her pack in his claws.
“I guess you’re our new pack mule,” she teased, looking over her shoulder at Galahad. “What do you think? It suits him, doesn’t it?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“It would be a shame if I dropped this, Lady Aliana,” Dagg retorted, his smirk sufficiently dimmed.
“Do it and I might decide to clip your wings,” Aliana shot back, thrilled to have someone to tease.
Dagg laid a Dragon claw over his heart, dramatically faking a wound. “That is simply mean.”
Grinning, Aliana leaned back against Galahad and admired the striking landscape before her. “I’m sorry I reacted so badly.”
“I understand your fear.” Galahad’s arm tightened briefly around her waist. “But please trust that I will never do anything to place you in danger.”
Aliana took a deep breath, letting her eyes wander. Even with the wind whipping around them, Galahad’s wintery scent was the only thing she could smell. “It kinda feels like we are the only people in the world…like we own the night.”
Galahad leaned closer, his lightly whiskered cheek resting against the side of her face. “I am pleased you are happy, Aliana.”
Her heart melted. That was the first time he had used just her name without adding “Lady.” The sound of it coming from his lips was almost hypnotic.
They stayed silent for several minutes until Galahad spoke again, his head still pressing against her cheek. “Do you see those cliffs over there?” Aliana nodded. “The magic surrounding the king’s hollow will not let us any closer. We will have to land between those cliffs and walk the rest of the way.”
“Sounds like fun,” Aliana said reluctantly. Hadn’t she already done enough hiking for the day? She studied the canyon ridges. It was hard to see clearly, even with the moonlight, but it looked like strange piles of boulders lined the entire rim almost as a sort of barrier against anything approaching from the woods. Galahad held her tightly as Belle swooped down toward the canyon, landing more gracefully than Aliana would’ve thought possible on such rocky terrain.
Galahad leaned into her, swinging his leg back and dismounting oh so perfectly before holding his hands out for Aliana.
“Umm, shouldn’t you go see if the area is clear or something?” She tried to sound casual, but really she didn’t want him to laugh at her while she attempted to get off Belle.
“I scouted from the air. We are perfectly alone here,” he assured her. Aliana stalled, trying to think of some other way to distract him, but he grew impatient. “We need to hurry. The sooner we awaken the king, the sooner we can get back to the Lady of the Lake and fulfill the prophecy.”
Aliana waved him off. “Lecture, lecture, that’s all you do.”
Galahad’s jaw tightened as he continued to stare at her.
“Fine,” she huffed. Leaning back, she carefully slid her leg over Belle, making a point to ignore Galahad, but he had other ideas. Like earlier, he grabbed Aliana about the waist, lowering her to the ground, tucking her close to his body the whole way.
Blushing, she glanced down and stepped away, bumping into Belle. The Pegasus tilted her head as if to say “excuse you.”
“Thanks for bringing us here, Belle.” Aliana ran her hands over her soft feathers before petting her neck.
Galahad placed a warm hand on the small of Aliana’s back, ushering her forward. With a final bray, Belle trotted away and leaped back into the night sky.
“We must be careful through here,” Dagg warned, circling Aliana. “The magic guarding this pass is stronger than any I have felt in a very long time.”
“Perhaps Queen Titania added another layer of protection after I was captured. Guarding this pass was one of our duties.”
Aliana looked at Galahad, confused. “Our? I thought you were the only one here with Arthur.”
For a moment his face went blank, his eyes
lost focus, and for a brief second, Aliana saw great sorrow in those eyes. “No.”
Aliana’s stomach dropped at the despair and pain in that one word. Something terrible must have happened to hurt him so badly.
“Stay close,” he told her, his face still blank. He led the way with Dagg flying at Aliana’s side. Something didn’t feel right about this place. It was like she could feel the cold fingers of danger trying to worm their way inside of her.
“Stay close to me,” Galahad reminded her again.
Her knight was several feet ahead of her already and Dagg was quickly catching up to him. She kept a careful eye on the jagged pieces of rock beneath her, afraid they might shift or that she might slip and break her ankle. That would just suck. Looking up, she saw that Galahad was even farther away than before, but he didn’t seem to notice. She took another step forward, slipping and knocking into the stone wall with a painful gasp. “Son of a monkey!”
“Lady Aliana, are you all right?” Galahad glanced back, and his eyes widened as if just now realizing how far apart they were.
Something banged against the cliff wall, rolling down the ledge. Aliana watched, terrified, as a boulder the size of a yoga ball crashed directly in front of Galahad and Dagg.
“Run, my lady!” Galahad yelled as two more boulders came crashing down. He was forced to jump back to keep from getting crushed. Aliana cried out as another huge rock shattered behind her, sending shards flying like shrapnel. She threw her arms over her head, frozen with fear.
7
She is going to get killed! The magic barring my path to her is too strong. I will never be able to penetrate it. Only four beings in Avalon have enough power to create this kind of barrier. If any of them have set against us, we are doomed. Curse this magic! She is my charge.
I have to protect her!
~Daggerhorne
“MOVE, ALIANA!” DAGG ORDERED as boulders, large and small, continued to fall, blocking a very pissed off Galahad from coming to her aid. Recovering from her shock, Aliana took several running steps but was forced to the cliff wall again as another boulder flew over her head.
