Return to Avalon: Book #4 (The Legend Series)

by Kylie Stewart

  I rocked back to sit down and opened the leather cover.

  Surprisingly, it wasn’t empty. Sketch after sketch popped off the pages and into my mind, but I didn’t remember drawing any of them.

  My fingers brushed over a detailed draft of just a person’s eyebrows and eyes. The bridge of the nose cut off halfway, and they gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes. No matter how badly I wanted to turn the page, I couldn’t.

  Those eyes …

  A flash of gray and splash of green came into view.

  “No.”

  All of a sudden, my hands itched to turn the page.

  And I did.

  Page after page.

  Sketch after sketch.

  Notes littered the margins of specs, sizes, and clay for casting. Heart pounding, I flew to the page where a magnificent statue came to life. The name underneath in my rough cursive tugged in my chest.

  Legend.

  Picking up the book, I looked closer at the man triumphantly brandishing his sword. A piece of paper flickered to the floor from somewhere within, and I picked it up tentatively.

  A bill of sale?

  It read:

  Piece: Legend.

  Amount Bid: £152,500£315,000.

  Purchased by: Sir Tomas Mordred Duke of Avalon

  Delivery: TBA

  “What in the bloody hell?” I flipped the bill over, but there wasn’t anything else written. The writing had to be Elaine’s.

  My eyes narrowed.

  No, it is Elaine’s.

  Things slowly began to make sense.

  Ever since my accident, Elaine had kept very close to me. She seemed to know exactly what Lancer and I spoke about when I made it home. No one thought it strange that I didn’t remember one thing from a huge chunk of time before my accident.

  This doesn’t settle with me.

  I almost stopped looking through the book, but a small voice whispered, “Two more pages.”

  So I listened.

  Two blank pages greeted me until I flipped for the third time, and there sat a rough sketch for a large statue. One male with wings and one female resting upon a rock.

  Wait, I’d seen this before.

  My notes filled in my blanks.

  The Duke of Avalon.

  Wants it in his ballroom.

  Caliburn estate—call later to confirm.

  Possibly stay at his estate?

  My throat closed up, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

  What in the actual fuck is going on?

  I don’t remember any of this.

  The words the woman from my dream spoke came back to me. “What the mind forgets, the heart remembers. What the eye refuses to see, the body recalls.”

  Why did I dream of Avalon?

  My mind took me back to the balcony where we’d met earlier in the night and remembered the way he stared at me. His gorgeous face so sad and his eyes pleading me for something I hadn’t seen until now.

  Did he know something I didn’t?

  Why didn’t he say anything about my accident or even recovery if he and Lancer spoke?

  He never mentioned either statue, so had he really commissioned me?

  And then the way we danced together, so flawless and aware of each other as if we’d done it before.

  Yes, something stunk all right.

  Two things were clear.

  One, Elaine was hiding something from me, and two, Lancer must have helped Elaine hide whatever really happened to me.

  Avalon, I would handle myself once I figured out who I could trust.

  Only one person came to mind.

  Morgan.

  She worked closely with Sir Thomas Mordred, and I didn’t know her very well, but she’d been kind to me since my return from the accident.

  I hid the sketchbook back in the box, shut the light off, and closed the doors behind me. Flopping back onto my bed, I reached for my phone on the nightstand and scrolled through my contacts to her number.

  Me: I know it’s late, but I need to talk to you in private tomorrow.

  Not expecting a reply, I snuggled back under the covers and tried to get into a comfortable position.

  My screen lit up.

  Morgan: What are you doing up so late?

  I thought carefully before I responded.

  Me: I had a strange dream. Can we meet tomorrow for lunch?

  Three dots appeared on my screen.

  Morgan: Sure, though I’m not sure why me.

  Time to lie.

  Me: I want to talk to you about a surprise for Lancer, and no one can know I’m with you tomorrow. I don’t want to spoil the fun.

  She took her time but conceded to my request.

  Morgan: If it’s a surprise, I’m in!

  Me: Great. I’ll message you a meeting place tomorrow.

  I set the phone down and exhaled in relief.

  Panic won’t help this situation right now, I reminded myself. I’ll get answers tomorrow when I talk to Morgan.

  Still unsure why I felt such a pull to reach out to Morgan, I tried to fall back asleep, but thoughts of Avalon swirled in my head.

  Why didn’t he say anything to me?

  How could he lie to me?

  My hand rubbed over my chest, and the flash of my diamond engagement ring caught my attention.

  Why did Lancer lie to me?

  What is he hiding?

  SIX

  Alexandria

  My legs bobbed nervously as I waited inside the café for Morgan. The sketchbook in my messenger bag sat on my lap, burning with impatience. The latte the waitress brought to me steamed and smelled wonderful, but I ignored the lure of the caffeinated drink.

  Biting my lower lip, I scanned the crowd of people lining up to order their drinks to go.

  Finally, Morgan cut through the crowd and flashed me a wide, red-lipped grin. My heart jumped into my throat as I rose to welcome her with a hug, praying she’d have answers to the questions swirling in my mind.

  “Hello, you.” Morgan kissed each cheek before sitting down next to me. Her black eyes glittered with excitement. “So what is the surprise?”

  For a moment, I hesitated, unsure of how to explain myself without scaring her off. Instead, I opened my bag and pulled out the book. Morgan watched eagerly as I flipped through the pages, found the sketch I needed along with the bill of sale, and set it in front of her.

  “I need you to help me understand what this means and why I cannot remember any of it.”

  Morgan’s eyes widened for a moment before her entire body stiffened. “I don’t know what this is, Alexandria.” She turned her gaze to mine. “Where did you find this?”

  “In my closet last night.” I tapped the bill of sale. “I need to know what this means. Did I sell this sculpture to the Duke of Avalon?”

  She licked her lips, picking up the delicate receipt paper and scanning over Elaine’s scribbles.

  “The duke didn’t say anything to you last night to instigate this, did he?” Morgan’s voice held a hint of warning.

  My brows furrowed. “Not one thing, which is what surprised me.”

  Her lips pressed into a thin line. “When you called me, you said you had a dream. What was that dream, if I may ask?”

  I reached forward and warmed my hands against the mug before me. “It’s a bit embarrassing.”

  One of Morgan’s eyebrows arched. “If you want me to help you get anywhere with your missing memories, you cannot hide anything from me, Alexandria.”

  Nodding, I began to tell her about the strange out-of-body experience from last night’s dream. Morgan’s eyes grew wide when I told her Avalon had blond hair and emerald green eyes.

  “The me in the dream told me I have to remember.” I rubbed my forehead with my thumb and forefinger. “I don’t understand why.”

  Morgan didn’t interrupt me once as I explained, and then she leaned back against the plush seat with a heavy sigh. “Did she say anything else?”

  My brain snapped
into action, feeding me the haunting echo of the woman’s voice. “Yes.” I swallowed hard. “She said what the mind forgets, the heart remembers. What the eye refuses to see, the body recalls.”

  Her reaction morphed slowly from calm and collected to sharp and shaken. “Damn.”

  “What?”

  Concern settled in my stomach like lead. “Morgan, please, if you know anything, I need to know. I deserve to know the truth.”

  Morgan turned her onyx gaze to me. “What are you doing this weekend?”

  “Huh?”

  “What are you doing this weekend?” she repeated with irritation.

  I had to think for a moment but quickly replied. “I’m going over to Lancer’s tonight, but then he’s leaving for the weekend on a business trip. So I wasn’t planning on much of anything.”

  She turned to gather her purse situated on the seat next to her. “Good.” After rustling around for a few moments, she pulled out a small planner. “Here is what you need to do.” Morgan dug back into her bag and brandished a pen, scribbling frantically. “Do not tell anyone we met today. This has to stay a secret.”

  “Okay.” Nerves battered their wings in my belly.

  Morgan nodded. “Then this weekend you are going to go stay with your grandmother on your own. Make up a lie that she’s sick.” Her hand continued to fly. “Give her this and tell her what you just told me. She’ll understand and point you in the right direction.”

  Recapping the pen, she folded the paper in half and handed it to me across the table.

  I hesitated.

  “Take it, and don’t let anyone see it.” Her black eyes were serious. “There are things you don’t know, and for your safety, until you are in the place where you are most safe—I cannot tell you a thing.”

  “Morgan, you’re scaring me.” My voice wavered.

  “Don’t be afraid. Be brave.” She shook her head. “Trust me on this. You are a part of something larger than life, and I need you safe.” She pushed herself to stand, her hand pausing over mine that gripped the table. “Avalon needs you safe.”

  At that statement, my heart leapt with a joy I didn’t understand.

  “I promise, Morgan.”

  The tall woman offered a tight smile. “Good. Now, go home and pack a bag for the weekend. Bring anything of value to you.”

  She gave my hand one last squeeze and left me sitting on my own.

  For a long moment, I sat staring into space long after Morgan had gone.

  “Hey, hun, do you want another latte?” The kind waitress broke my trance.

  “Oh, no thank you.” In a rush, I pulled out a note and set it on the table. “Thanks.”

  Walking as briskly as I could, I exited the small café and glanced both ways. The street moved like a sea of people coming and going. Once I made sure I didn’t recognize anyone, I turned to the left and began walking back toward my flat.

  While I hadn’t gotten much from Morgan, I’d learned enough.

  Elaine and Lancer were keeping things from me.

  Important things.

  Things they didn’t want me to know.

  And Avalon, did he want to keep things from me?

  Or is he just as innocent as I am in this mess?

  I clutched the paper Morgan gave me tightly before stuffing it into the safety of my messenger bag.

  Soon enough, I would find out.

  I just needed to play the part of ignorant for one more night.

  SEVEN

  Avalon

  Camelot shifted beneath me as I looked over the ridge toward Caliburn Estate. If ancient walls could talk, they would most certainly have a story to tell. One of love, loss, and desperation coupled with the sins of a man’s past—my past.

  Leaning forward, I patted Cam’s gray neck gently. “Easy boy, I miss her too.”

  He craned his neck to look back at me. Brown eyes searched my face, almost accusing me for letting his mistress abandon him.

  Ever since I saw Alexandria at her engagement party, she haunted me. My dreams teased me with joyous triumph only for me to wake up to an empty bed and a shattered heart. My mind played tricks on me while walking through the halls of Caliburn, and I swore I could hear her voice echoing through the corridors.

  I ached for her.

  I needed her.

  Tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

  I love her.

  Camelot’s snort drew my attention back to his bobbing head. His black-tipped ears perked forward toward the gravel drive, and a black car came into view.

  For a moment, my body tensed with anticipation.

  Could it be?

  But the tall woman who exited the vehicle had black hair, not mahogany.

  “Morgan?” I asked the question aloud. A bit curious as to why she would show her face around here.

  Gently heeling Camelot forward into a slow canter, we swiftly made it to the edge of the drive, catching Morgan by surprise.

  “Arthur, you scared me.” Her hand flew over her chest.

  My eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”

  Morgan scoffed. “Dropped the tough act, big brother.” Her ruby lips smirked. “I actually have some good news for once.”

  A stable hand strode over to where I stood atop Camelot and took hold of the reins as I dismounted. After giving Cam a firm pat, then nodding to the groom, I ran a hand through my wind-ruffled hair. “Pray tell.”

  Her black eyes danced with a familiar mischief. “I spoke to Alexandria this morning in private.”

  She had my full attention now. “Go on.”

  “She had a dream about her life before, her first life with you.” Her excitement grew. “Do you know what that means?”

  Tilting my head, I tried to follow her string of words. “Alexandria had a dream about her previous life?”

  “Yes.” Morgan took one of my hands in her own. “She spoke to Guinevere, telling her what the mind forgets, the heart remembers. What the eye refuses to see, the body recalls.”

  An invisible hand reached through my chest and gripped my heart, squeezing. “You mean …?” I couldn’t speak her name.

  Morgan nodded. “Yes, Guinevere isn’t dead. She’s waiting, just like Arthur waited for you. She’s waiting for Alexandria to find her.” My sister’s eyes misted with tears. “There’s still hope for us, brother. Guinevere is trying to guide Alexandria back to you because of your soul bond.”

  I forgot myself and pulled Morgan to my chest, wrapping my arms around her and holding her tight. “Are you telling me the truth? Can I trust you?”

  Her hands fisted in my polo shirt, and she nodded. “I’m supposed to be doing surveillance on you, but I had to tell you what I knew.”

  Gazing up into my eyes, she let a single tear escape down her cheek. “I know I can never be forgiven for what I did to you back then, but I don’t want to live like this anymore, Arthur. I can’t bear to look at the man I love day in and day out and know he hates me.”

  “Shhh, Morgan.” I tried to calm her, but a sob escaped her lips.

  “She loves you so much, Arthur. It’s time for this to be over.” Her lower lip trembled. “We all need this curse to be lifted.”

  So many centuries ago, the only familial traits Morgan and I shared were our playful smirk and strong brow. I’d been the golden child set to be king while she grew up the dark princess. At one point in our lives, she’d been such a friend to me, a tower of strength.

  Now, with my black hair matching hers, I noticed our father in us both more and more. No matter how long we lived, the blood that ran through our veins bonded us as siblings.

  “I vow I will break this, Morgan.” Cupping her face, I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I forgive you, for if not for you, I’d never know Alexandria. She was worth waiting for, so I release you from your guilt.”

  She broke in my arms, flinging herself at me as if she were just a little girl.

  Over her head, my gaze met Merlin and Vivian, who stood on
the steps watching. Merlin nodded, turning on his heel now that he knew his apprentice wasn’t here to cause trouble. Vivian, however, continued to smile at me, wearing a proud, motherly expression of approval on her face.

  Alexandria taught me to love.

  Now, without her, she taught me to forgive.

  And with her back by my side, she would teach me how to win.

  EIGHT

  Alexandria

  I wasn’t sure what exactly caused me to slowly open my eyes and try to focus on the pillow where Lancer should be. We’d fallen asleep after a brief coming together, Lancer insisting he have me before he left for the weekend. Now, I didn’t know where he could be.

  Sitting up, I brushed my hair away from my face. The simple black silk nightgown didn’t do much to keep out the chill, so I lifted the covers up to my shoulders.

  I’d be a liar if making love to Lancer after meeting with Morgan and finding the sketches for Avalon didn’t make me feel hollow. Like I was a shell of the person I used to be, and until I regained my lost memories that was all I would be.

  Just a ghost drifting through a life of lies and forgotten memories.

  The low hum of Lancer’s deep baritone turned my attention to the balcony of his flat.

  Carefully stepping out of bed, I lowered my feet to the cold wooden floor, jolting me awake. Tiptoeing closer to the closed blinds, I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned close to listen.

  “I understand. Believe me, I do.” Lancer sounded irritated as his footsteps paced back and forth. Just a thin strip of glass separated us, so I tried to quiet my breathing. “Please, let me handle Avalon.”

  My heart jumped at his snarl when he said Avalon’s name.

  Who is he talking to?

  “She knows nothing. I’ve made sure of it.”

  A lead weight materialized in my stomach, sinking all hopes for Lancer to be on my side. Clearly, he wasn’t. So whose side did he belong to?