He runs his hand across his brow and replies, "That is a relief."
After Lance lays Grey down, he takes a seat at the back of the wagon. Merina sits in the corner opposite him. I take my place next to Grey, laying my sword on the other side but within my reach if needed.
Declan and Tiffany wave from the front door of their cottage as we pass. I am sad to be leaving again so soon; I did not have a chance to even see the twins.
Grey moans again as he turns on his left side, throwing his arm over my waist. I push his blond locks back on his forehead and bend down and kiss him.
With each bump in the road he winces, and it pains me every time. I lean back and watch the sun as it starts its ascent into the sky. Every few minutes I scan the area, keeping my eyes open in case there is a threat. If they found my knights the first time, we are still in danger, and being in the open like this puts my senses on overdrive.
I wish that I had more training under my belt. I reflect back on these last few days, and it’s been a whirlwind. Finding out I am the heir to the Pendragon throne, three of my knights are my soul mates, and I will have to face my uncle to take back the throne.
"What are you thinking about Alexa?" Lance questions.
"The last few days, how this all is happening so fast and wishing that I got more training in. If they were ambushed, we must not let our guard down. Once Grey is on the mend, I want to get back into my training. I do not wish nor will not be a liability. I want to be able to hold my own in a fight. I can not have you, Percy, or Grey worried for my safety if we are in battle."
Lance nods in agreement. "I cannot guarantee that even if you have more training, that I will not fret. The more time you have handling your blade, the better I will feel. Try and get some rest now, I will wake you if there any sign of trouble."
Merina has been quiet since we took our places in the back of the wagon.
"Sister, are you all right?" I ask.
Merina shakes her head, and a tear rolls down her cheek.
"Talk to me," I command.
"This is my fault, he knew I was disguised as Lance, the arrow he took was meant for me. He sprang in front of me as the archer let it go; that should be me lying there not Grey," she replies.
"And if it were, I would be here at your side doing all I could to mend you. Grey's condition is not on you, the blame goes to the coward that would use poison on an arrow. There is no honor in it, and he will answer to me," I tell her. "If there was room, I would have you come here and hug you until you fell asleep."
"I am right next to you,” Grey says. “Why aren't I in your arms?"
Gingerly, I pull him over closer to me, and he lays his head on my lap. He wiggles a little until he gets comfortable and his eyes close again.
Taking Lance's advice, I try to find a spot that will allow me to get some rest. The first rays of sunlight are seen on the horizon as my eyes close and the wagon stops.
Percy bends over and whispers, "There is a string of soldiers blocking our path. This is the road to Camelot. What do you want to do?"
My eyes question Lance, and he does not hesitate, jumping out of the back of the wagon. I track his steps until he is out of sight, standing in front of the horses.
"I am Lance, Commander of the King’s Guard. Why are you blocking the road?" he demands.
A voice returns the reply loudly. "I am here for your head, Lance."
That statement makes my blood boil, and I carefully scoot out from under Grey's head, pulling an extra blanket off of him and ball it in my place.
As I grip my sword, a hand falls on top of mine. "Sister, please do not go. I beg you."
"I will no longer hide. If my uncle wants me, he can find me by the trail of bodies I leave behind. I am not that scared ten year old girl anymore. These men are mine and I am prepared to fight until my last breath to keep them safe," I tell her.
She removes her hand from mine. "I am at your side, always."
I leap down, sword at my side, and make my way to Lance's side.
"If you want his head, you will have to go through me to get it," I call to the soldiers.
Their laughs are carried to us on the wind.
"Lance, I did not realize that you had a woman to protect you," a voice taunts.
I glance at Lance, his face set a scowl, hate in his eyes.
"Not only does she protect me, she is the Pendragon heir. We fight with honor, unlike you and your lackeys. This is the only chance for you and your men to walk away, or else my steel is what you will taste in your last moments."
Lance nods to me, and I raise my sword into the stance that Lance had me practice. I turn my attention back to the oncoming men.
As if my sword senses my emotions, a blue spark dances on the tip of my blade. The oncoming knights' steps rumble the ground, and I eye the line of them as they get closer to where we are standing.
Beck, Merina, and Percy adjust their feet as they join us in front of Grey and the wagon. With them by my side, my heart is full of pride mixed with fear. I step one pace ahead of them. I shake my head when I notice they try to follow.
My focus on the enemies that are charging towards us, one quick breath and eyes closed, I try to channel all my emotions toward my blade.
When my eyes open again, I swing my sword sending an arc of blue lightning toward the oncoming men. As it hits each of the men, they crumple to the ground, not one of them spared. I lower my blade to my side. All eyes are on me, and my shoulders shrug as I walk back and climb in with Grey.
"Let us go, we need to get Grey to the Lady of the Lake."
With that they all pile back into their spots and the wagon moves again. I lean back after returning Grey's head to my lap, and close my eyes, not wanting to talk and worn out from the lighting blast.
I tumble into an uneasy sleep.
I awoke when Grey's weight is removed from its resting place on my thigh, I reach out for him, only to grab air.
"What is going on? Where’s Grey" I ask, panic filling my voice.
Merina replies, "We are here. I was about to wake you."
"Thank you, is everyone afraid of me?" I question, unsure of myself for the first time in my life.
She shakes her head. "More curious; a little worried. Grey is your first priority, so he is theirs. I told them to lay him as close to the water as possible and return here. We will all wait for you at the wagon. I believe that this is something you need to do by yourself."
"I agree with you, sister. Thank you for always being at my side. It is not something I can ever repay."
Making my way down from the wagon, I take the sword with me, not for protection but because it seems as if I should. Beck pats my shoulder as I pass him, while Lance and Percy both kiss me on the cheek and give me hopeful smiles. I weakly smile back and continue on to Grey.
His pale skin is the first thing that stands out. I kneel behind him, placing my forehead on his heated chest.
Unsure how I am supposed to talk to the Lady, I speak from my heart.
"Lady of the Lake, I am unsure if you can hear my words, but my mother came to me in a dream. She told me if I brought Grey here your magic could heal him. I am willing to pay any price you seek in return. Please, save him. He is my soulmate, and I can not bear to watch him die," I plead, tears spilling as I raise my head toward the water.
The lake is still, not even a ripple.
I turn my attention toward Grey. "I am sorry, my love, I have failed you. If I could, I would trade places with you in an instant. I regret that we only had a few hours together since we met, but they are some of the happiest memories I will forever cherish. I love you, Grey."
I lean in and kiss his forehead; it is searing with fever, his breathing even more labored than before. Doing the only thing I can, I hold him in my arms, and the thump of his heart slows as my tears fall.
"Little one, do not shed another tear," a voice rings in my head. "The poison in his wound I can heal."
I glance up t
o find the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon. She seems to hover over the water, a simple blue gown draped on her figure. Her flaming red hair and blue eyes remind me a little bit of my sister.
“I will do anything that you ask.”
Her eyebrow cocks up. “What if I ask for your sword?”
“Take it.”
“What if I want that necklace and ring you hide?”
“They are yours.”
“And if the cost is your life for his?”
“It is yours.”
I swallow hard as I wait for her to continue.
"I can do you this one favor. In return, I want you to restore Camelot to its former glory. Arthur's Camelot, ruling fair and with the knights at your side. After you take the throne back from your uncle, that is. If you can let me look at his wound, I will restore his health. It needs to be done quickly, his life force is slipping away as we speak," she tells me.
Laying Grey gently on the sand, I push his shirt carefully back from his wound. The angry green lines have traveled over his chest and trail down his arm.
Gracefully, she kneels over him, inspecting the wound, before she places both palms on top of it. The Lady of the Lake starts to chant, and with each word her hands begin to glow. I watch for as long as I can, before the light becomes so bright I have to look away.
She grows silent beside me, stands, and glides back to the lake. "Remember, restore Camelot." I watch her descend back into the water.
Returning my attention to Grey, I inspect his wound and find that it is healed and the lines are gone. I skim my hand over his forehead that no longer holds fever.
As I run my hand over his forehead again, his blue eyes open and his lips break into a smile.
"So, almost dying is all I have to do to get you alone?" he teases.
Happy tears spill as I pull him to me. "You better not do that to me ever again."
The relief washes from Grey’s face as he stares over my shoulder.
“What is the matter, Grey?”
“Hello, Alexa, it is time we meet,” a deep voice says from behind me.
I glance over my shoulder, and there stands the king, my uncle, with his blade pointed at my neck.
Also by Jenee Robinson
The Creeper Saga
The Creeper Saga
Fate of the Fate
Curse of the Fae
Redemption of the Fae
Couldn’t Keep Her
Polymorphic Passion
Forest of the Dark Anthology
Outcast
For Melissa Anthology
Typical Hunter Day
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my family. Your unending support is just what I needed to complete this book.
To all my friends, thank you for checking up on me and not letting me lose sight of what I needed to do.
To all my indie author friends, thank you for always being there to answer any questions I may have. Your love and support has been amazing.
To my betas: Amy, Caitlin, and Laura! You ladies are amazing! I’m so glad to have you girls in my life.
Kassie, A.K., Genni, Sandra, Caitlyn, Sosha, Mary, Brandy, Madeline, Maya, and Crystal. Thank you for taking this wild ride with me! I love you all!
Thank you, Missy Stewart, for editing it for me. I am grateful for your amazing work and not disowning me.
Thank you, Kassie Morse, for formatting.
Thank you, Thomas, with 2nd Life Designs for this amazing cover.
Thank you, Tiffany Schidzick, for letting me use your name in this book.
Thank you, Michelle Reopel, for naming the king.
About the Author
Jenee Robinson released her first novella, Fate of the Fae, May 1st 2018.
She has completed several short stories and has more releasing soon. She spends her days writing more exciting stories, both novella and novel size.
She is married and has three ornery girls.
Other than writing, she loves reading and photography.
She’s a Harry Potter Nerd and loves the show Supernatural and anything Captain America.
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