by test
“My Lady,” Molly said, falling into a deep bow, as Adria followed suit.
“They are ready, Lord Merlin,” the Lady Vivienne murmured in her singsong voice.
“Aye they are,” Merlin agreed.
Merlin the Magician, levitated himself above the water, and smiled serenely down at Molly and Adria.
Sir Lancelot leaned upon on his own Elvin sword that had been dubbed Arondight. He seemed unfazed by the magic transpiring between the Faerie Queen and the White Wizard.
Lady Vivienne summoned forth two glistening blades, and Molly instantly recognized them as the ones that had been sitting on the grand stone earlier.
Molly exchanged an excited stare with Adria. They shuffled toward each other and clasped hands.
Arthur had released Gwenhwyfar, who now stood smiling at his side. In a bright flash of light she transformed into a faerie that Molly did not know. With a wistful smile, she stepped away from Arthur and disappeared. Arthur reached for Molly’s hand, and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
“Come forth, Princess Mary Pendragon, and Princess Adria ap Owen,” Lady Vivienne said, smiling as she beckoned to them.
Molly and Adria walked into the ankle deep water, and fell to one knee, as Merlin took Adria’s sword, and the Queen of the Water Faeries held Molly’s sword above her head.
“I dub thee Warrior Witch Mary Pendragon, leader of the High Order of Merlin, and huntress of all dark creatures,” she proclaimed grandly. Tears gathered in Molly’s eyes. “You shall command the Elvin blade Anwyn, wrought by the Avalonian Elf Smith, Gofannon and brought here for your capable hands,” Lady Vivienne said, grandly giving Molly the sword.
“Whenever you are in need of Anwyn, you merely summon her with your magic. “
Lady Vivienne then turned her attention to Merlin, who held the sword above Adria’s raven crown.
“I dub thee Warrior Witch Adria ap Owen, co-leader of the High Order of Merlin, and huntress of all dark creatures,” he proclaimed, his rich baritone booming across the rugged landscape. “You shall command the Elvin blade Ely, wrought by the Avalonian Elf Smith, Gofannon and brought here for your capable hands,” he said, grandly giving Adria the sword.
“Adria, whenever you are in need of Ely, your magic shall summon her forth,” Merlin declared, watching his two students proudly.
“Thank you both,” Molly and Adria breathed in unison. Clasping her sword tightly, she and Adria stumbled back onto the riverbank.
“From this day forth, the two of you shall be the brightest lights amongst my Light Bearers,” Merlin proclaimed.
Arthur drew Excalibur, and motioned for Molly and Adria to fall to one knee. Perplexed, the two girls did as they were commanded.
He brought Excalibur down just above Adria’s one shoulder and then the other, as his voice carried forth. “I dub thee Princess Adria, my Lady Knight of the Round Table. “
Shocked, Adria gave Molly a confused stare.
Then, Arthur moved toward Molly, and allowed Excalibur to go through the same motions. “I dub thee Princess Mary, otherwise known as Princess Molly, my Lady Knight of the Round Table, and sworn protector of my Queen, Lady Gwenhwyfar. “ Molly’s heart fell, as she LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 9
listened to her adopted father’s words. “All hail, Princess Mary, my blood daughter, and Princess Adria, daughter of my loyal friend Ranulf ap Owen,” he murmured.
Molly stared up at him in dismay. Realization hit her as if a rock had been hurled at her stomach.
“What did you say?” she managed to choke out, feeling Anwyn hum in her hands.
* * * *
Tintagel Castle, 517 AD
It was the night of the gathering. Molly shifted her weight to her other foot, resting her hand on the jeweled hilt of Anwyn.
The night was young, and she was incredibly nervous. Arthur was holding an emergency meeting with the other Knights of the Round Table. But she was not allowed to attend. It was the first time in a year that she had been forbidden to sit with the other male knights. She stared restlessly out at the full moon, tensing, as she felt Adria slowly approach.
“I am not allowed to sit with the counsel either,” Adria murmured. Molly glanced away from the full moon and shrugged her shoulders.
“I knew it would be this way. I knew as soon as he revealed to me he was my true father that I would be shoved off into the corner. Even now, whilst Lady Gwen sleeps, he will not allow me to stand beside him. They will be riding out to battle tomorrow, to deal with the terror in the East. “ Sadness flowed through her. She turned her body to look Adria straight in the face. “What if they don’t return?” Molly asked. Fear wound its invisible tentacles around her heart.
Merlin suddenly materialized in front of them, and he held out his hand to them, as they moved to his side. “Make haste, my Lady Knights!”
Molly reached out for his offered hand and clasped it tightly.
“Arthur shall need help upon the morn, and we will be the ones to give him that assistance,” Merlin murmured. He raised his hand and they disappeared into a flash of white light.
“Where are we?” Molly wondered, staring around at the large hall. It was ornately decorated, and filled with art the likes of which she had never seen before.
Trumpets sounded off in the distance, and Molly and Adria raced to the window.
“We are at Castle Breena in Avalon,” Merlin murmured, calmly folding his hands in front of him.
Six crimson-cloaked figures with the hoods drawn over their heads filed into the Great Hall.
Molly watched, entranced, as each hood was flung back to reveal the faces of seven women that suddenly summoned forth their magical Elvin blades.
“Princess Mary, Princess Adria, allow me to introduce you to the other Light Bearers of my High Order. Once united, you shall all be known as the nine mystical ladies of Avalon,”
Merlin said in his entrancing tone.
“You already know Princess Morganna, and Princess Anna from Tintagel. “ As he introduced each Light Bearer, he gestured to her. Molly and Adria knew Morganna and Anna well. They were Molly’s aunts, and Molly went to great lengths to distance herself from the pretentious Morganna. Anna on the other hand, was sweet and kind, and uncannily resembled Arthur, except for her silver colored hair.
LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 10
“This is Princess Iseult from the Isle of Eire. “ The Irish Princess stepped forward, and Molly gasped as her eyes fell on the lovely woman. Iseult’s hair seemed to be spun gold, and her eyes were an intense emerald green. But she was a solid statue and would make a formidable Light Bearer and Lady Knight.
“This is Princess Ciara from Lothian. “ Merlin paused briefly, as a small red-haired woman stepped forward. She wore a circlet of gold on her forehead not unlike the other women, and her skin was frighteningly pale and speckled with freckles. If Molly didn’t know better she could have sworn that they were related. Merlin’s voice broke into Molly’s thoughts.
“This is Princess Amelia from the Fourth Faerie Realm, and with her is her cousin, Princess Beatrice from the Elvin Realm of Ardara. “
These two women nearly brought Molly to her knees. Molly was part faerie, and she knew that her ears were enchanted to seem more humanlike. But Molly had never glimpsed pureblooded elves or faeries. They were said to be the cousins of angels, and now Molly could understand why. They gave off a radiant light, and she felt a comforting emotion pass through her. For some strange reason, these women reminded her of her mother. But she was being fanciful; she had inherited her fey blood from her father’s mother, not from her mother. Her father had not inherited the gift of magic as she had, but fortune had still smiled down upon him.
“And last but certainly not least, is Princess Millicent from the Welsh kingdom of Powys.
”
Molly scrutinized this last Light Bearer even more closely than she had the others. She knew that Millicent was Lady Gwen’s cousin, and yet she bore no resemblance
to Gwen whatsoever. Moreover, Millicent’s eyes reminded her of her own.
The Light Bearers all bowed their heads in respect for Merlin.
“All of you belong to the High Order of Merlin, and are my Light Bearers. I summoned you here on an issue of serious consequence. King Arthur plans to ride out and meet dark forces from the East. His knights will not be able to stand against these unearthly creatures, but my ladies, you have the power to prevail over the ungodly creatures of the dark. “ He flourished his hand, and gave them a frightening scene of Arthur and his knights being mercilessly slain.
“So we shall,” Molly vowed, breaking the uneasy silence.
Her heart filled with dread at the tragic vision, but she had to be strong for the sake of the brave, chivalrous Knights, and most of all, her father.
Deliberately, she drew Anwyn, from its scabbard, and the others followed her lead. They formed a circle, and extended their swords, their silver tips touched. When the Elvin swords connected, a blindingly glorious burst of multi-colored light streamed up from the tips and danced around the room.
“Let us be off to Camelot,” Molly cried, as their magic continued to dazzle, and dance around the room.
“To Camelot,” they all cried.
She was off to fight by her father’s side, and for the first time, she was on the hunt with her fellow Light Bearers. She would not fail Merlin, for if she did, there would be no worse fate.
LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 11
Chapter One
New York City, 2010
Molly Pendleton slumped farther into her chair, pulling the brim of her hat down to conceal her eyes. She studied every person that entered the Chinese style restaurant, and was nearly at her wits’ end when the man she had been waiting for finally sauntered in. It wasn’t unexpected. He always took his sweet ass time.
Looking around the dining area, he put out his cigarette at the insistence of the hostess.
Molly narrowed her eyes. Her gaze followed him as he moved over to a nearby table.
She could feel the pent up energy inside of her, just battling to be released. But she had to wait.
Now was not the time, she had to wait for the opportune moment.
The man was none other than Royal St. Ives. She’d been trailing Royal for nearly two weeks. She was tired, impatient, and almost at the end of her already short rope. She wanted to be at home in front of a roaring fire, but that was not to be her fate on this gloomy cold night.
Reaching for her purse, she slung it across her chest. She slipped to the edge of the booth seat, and waited for the precise moment when she would close in on her quarry.
Standing up, she breathed in deeply, and straightened her clothes. In a feat of wondrous agility, she maneuvered her way through the crowded dining area, and stared sourly down at Royal.
He glanced up over his open menu, and his mouth gaped when he realized she wasn’t his waitress.
She deftly slipped into the chair opposite him, and had her fingers locked around his wrist, before he could yank it out of her reach.
“What’s up Moll? Long time no see,” he muttered. His face contorted with pain, and his eyes flickered with fear.
Smiling, she increased her already solid grip on his wrist.
“Did you actually think you’d be able to give me the slip?” she whispered, even as she laced her faint murmuring with something that resembled vocalized arsenic.
He shrugged his shoulders, and she caught herself before she smacked him soundly across the face. He reached for a cigarette, with his free hand, and she scrunched her face up in disgust.
“Don’t you know those things are killers?” she asked angrily. He smirked, and continued to reach for his lighter.
She tore it out of his hand, and he gave her a dirty look before she reconsidered.
“Actually, maybe you should smoke three packs of fags a day. Getting rid of you for good would be a Godsend,” she rushed out, tossing him his lighter. Her raised voice had caught the attention of the other patrons. Several pairs of eyes suddenly rested on them. Molly grimaced. She hated attracting unnecessary attention. Usually, discretion was her middle name.
“Why can’t you just leave me in peace?” he whined.
LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 12
She darted her gaze toward the entrance of Chung Lee’s. Her heartbeat quickened, as she noticed the striking silhouette of one of the hottest men she had ever laid her greedy eyes upon, from the 21st century that is.
She pulled roughly on Royal’s wrist, which yanked him straight off his chair. She had him so close to her face that she could smell what he had eaten for lunch. His breath stank like dead fish.
“Listen up good, Roy,” she muttered, as his face became mottled. “I want to know where you stashed those trinkets you stole from me. Spill it, or I’m going to take you with me, when I leave this establishment,” she threatened. Sweat began to bead across Royal’s forehead and his eyes bugged out. She didn’t have much time. She had to leave before the gorgeous hunk reached their table.
Luckily, he was having a hell of a time getting past the hostess drooling all over him.
“I didn’t steal anything,” Royal hedged stupidly. She let out a long drawn out snort.
“Yes, and I’m the Queen of England,” she shot back, trying to control her volatile temper.
She watched the handsome man out of the corner of her eye and wished she knew his name.
She had one way of finding out, but she had sworn off those mystical practices long ago.
Right now, she really wished she hadn’t. Royal followed her hungry gaze and smirked, just as she stood up, then pulled him toward the back exit.
He tried to resist, but stopped obediently when she pulled out her gun and rammed it into his gut.
“I don’t want to do anything I might later regret,” she murmured.
Royal’s face flushed, and if she were a good reader of expressions, the one he wore signaled that he was very close to wetting his pants.
“Fine,” he rushed out, “I sold them to Wisteria Enterprises. They matched my price, so I handed them over. “
“You’re a son of a bitch, and when I recover the items you sold so easily, I’m going to come back for you. And this time, I’m not going to be so damn nice,” she drawled out.
Royal lost all of his color, and his lower lip began to tremble. “Aww, come on Moll, I’m sure we could reach some kind of agreement. “
She let out another loud snort and wrenched open the exit door.
“You are getting on my last tattered nerve, Royal,” she muttered, plastering him up against the wall. “Don’t you even want to know what you stole from me?” she demanded, watching with intense frustration as he shook his head.
“They were a bunch of dirty old leather bound books, what do I care what they were?
It’s not like I read them or anything,” he muttered, causing her to nearly throttle him.
“They weren’t just dirty old books, you asinine fool!” she muttered, between clenched teeth. Her heart plummeted in her chest.
She was going to have to go through hell and back if she wanted to get those books back from Wisteria Enterprises. They had people working for them that were more than a potential match for her. She loosened her hold on Royal, and glanced back at the man that was now striding purposefully toward her. She quickly read the insignia on his suit jacket and let out a loud gasp.
LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 13
“Shit,” she cursed, letting go of Royal completely. She ducked out into the alleyway.
Blending in with the wall, she listened attentively to the exchange between Royal and Mr. He Means Business.
“Hello, Royal,” the man drawled out.
Molly stiffened with apprehension and fought back the desire to use her magic.
“Uh, hello,” Royal said.
She strained to envision what the two of them looked like. Skinny Royal, up against the buff man, probably seemed qui
te ludicrous.
“Mr. Remington wants to see you again. He requires some more information concerning the person that you acquired your books from. “ The hot Wisteria Enterprises agent spoke in a no-nonsense tone that sent a shiver rippling up and back down Molly’s spine.
She swallowed past the dry lump in her throat, and fought her feet, which now seemed to have a mind of their own. Her feet said go, while her mind said stay.
She chose her mind, even though she knew she might be screwing herself. She had heard about this Mr. Remington, and none of the reports had been all that good.
Crossing her fingers, she waited on baited breath as Royal continued. Surely he wouldn’t be foolish enough to betray her twice.
