Read Endeavor (King Arthurs and Her Knights Book 6) Online
Authors: K. M. Shea
Endeavor (King Arthurs and Her Knights Book 6) (12 page)
“Are you
drunk
?” she demanded.
“No! Maybe. Just a little. I needed it. Just thinking about Vivien infuriates me,” Merlin placed his empty goblet on a chest.
“Is that what has had you so grouchy? Vivien?” Britt rubbed her eyes with one hand.
“Indeed. She has black magic, which I’ve been trying to contain as she has her sights set on you. Probably wants to be made Queen of Britain and then kill you. The lunatic. I haven’t been able to counter her very well, so I’ll be employing a new tactic.” Merlin inched towards her bed, drawing as close to her as he dared.
“What’s that? Waking her at dawn and being a pain in the—”
“Language, Britt. And no. I’m going to woo her so she thinks
I
am in love with her. Though I’m no King of Britain, she knows I am a powerful wizard.”
“Who can’t counter or contain her spells.”
“
Shush
. This took a lot of thinking, and it’s a big sacrifice for me,” Merlin complained.
“Fine, I get it. Thanks—although I don’t believe you could possibly be convincing at pretending to fall in love,” Britt snorted.
“You’d be surprised,” Merlin said, the buzz of wine leaving him for the moment. “Anyway, I am here to bid you farewell.”
“What, you’re going on vacation together?” Britt said. Merlin could hear the jealousy that colored her voice.
“No, I will remain in the castle. I just won’t be able to meet as freely with you—I can’t let her suspect anything.” Merlin reached out and twined a piece of Britt’s gold hair around his finger. She raised her eyebrow at him, but he didn’t care. If he was going to be separated from her for a while, he would savor this moment.
“Fine. Thanks for the warning. Good luck, womanizer,” Britt grunted and sounded even more irritated.
“I’ll also be acting out of character, so I apologize for my future conduct,” Merlin said. He tried to tug his finger out of her hair, but it was caught.
Britt reached up and eased his finger out of her wild mane with warm hands. “Great. Thank you for getting me up at dawn to tell me this. I’m sure it couldn’t wait even another hour.”
“No, I intend to put my plan into practice immediately,” Merlin said.
“Well, then.” Britt sucked her head back into her blankets. “Good night.”
“Britt…I’m doing this because I care for you, and because I’m sorry.”
“If you’re sorry, why did you wake me up at
dawn
?” Britt snarled, throwing her blankets off and sitting up in bed. She was wearing, Merlin was interested to see, linen pants and a tunic, but without her usual bindings. He was spellbound for a moment—staring wide-eyed at her—until Britt snapped. “
Merlin
!”
“Because I don’t know what else to say,” he said. He felt lost. He was in uncharted territory, and thus far it had not been very pleasurable.
“There’s a saying from my time: actions speak louder than words. You should try it some time,” Britt grunted.
Merlin vaguely recalled Blaise railing a similar statement at him over the past few months. Funny how such an irritating but logical piece of advice could last for centuries.
If it’s that logical, maybe I should try it. She practically told me to…
Merlin mulled the thought over for a moment. “Very well, I will.” He sat down on Britt’s bed, grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her close.
“What are you—” she was silenced when Merlin pressed his lips against hers.
At first, kissing Britt was like kissing a soft and warm statue. Her shock made her unmovable. He was afraid she would pull back, or possibly even slap him.
Worried, but highly motivated to make it work—this was Britt, after all—Merlin inched one hand around her waist to tug her closer, and slipped his other hand under the blanket of her hair and rested it on the back of her neck. Britt moved the tiniest bit forward so she leaned into him, and the change was immediate.
The kiss went from one-sided to a song of senses. Her lips were soft like silk, and his heart almost leaped from his body when she placed a warm hand on his chest. Heat, like a crackling fire on a winter day, flooded him, and it felt like even his blood sang with joy. It was astounding how
natural
it felt to have her nestled against him, her silken hair caressing his skin. It was enchanting.
She
was enchanting.
Sadly, below the warmth and the delight, was a hint of bitter-sweetness. He knew what he had done to her—intentionally or not—and he knew that while he had her now, there was no telling what would happen after he left her room. For a brief moment, he considered slaying Vivien and ignoring the consequences, but he couldn’t let Britt suffer more than she already had—more than she would.
Yes, he realized he loved Britt, but he—more than anyone else—did not deserve her.
He pulled back before Britt had time to think. “I’m sorry, for what I’ve done and for what will happen next.” he bolted from the room, closing the doors behind him.
Britt sat upright on her bed for several minutes. “Was that a
dream
?” she wondered, pushing her hair from her face. She had been kissed before but had never experienced one so…
right.
Plus, that was
Merlin. Merlin
had kissed her!
What is going on? He can’t possibly…
She contemplated chasing after him, but decided against it after recalling the haunted light in his blue eyes.
She flopped back in her bed and grabbed a pillow, pressing it to her face to muffle her scream.
He’s so infuriating!
In spite of her unkind thoughts, she spent the rest of the dawn hours staring into space, trying to piece together what Merlin—and that kiss—meant.
The End
CHARACTERS
Adelind
:
Wife of King Pellinore—Queen of Anglesey
Agravain
: the second son of King Lot and Queen Morgause of Orkney.
Ban
: One of two kings who marched with Britt against Lot and his allies. He is from France, is well groomed, and is said to have a son who is an impressive knight.
Bedivere
: A knight Britt met in London when she was crowned King. Britt chose him as her marshal on an impulse, without any input from Merlin. Bedivere is the only knight in Britt’s close circle who does not know she is a girl.
Bodwain
: Britt’s constable and one of Merlin’s Minions.
Bors
: One of two kings who marched with Britt against Lot and his allies. He is from France, although he appears to be half bear. His two sons are said to be gallivanting around with King Ban’s son.
Ector
: the man who was selected to be Arthur’s foster father. He has taken a similar role in Britt’s life.
Gaheris
: The third son of King Lot and Queen Morgause of Orkney.
Gareth
: The youngest son of King Lot and Queen Morgause of Orkney.
Gawain
: The eldest son of King Lot and Queen Morgause of Orkney.
Griflet
: A young, ignorant knight who is related to Sir Bedivere and is close friends with Ywain.
Guinevere
: The daughter of King Leodegrance whom Britt dislikes thanks to modern King Arthur stories and legends.
Igraine
: Mother of the real Arthur. Uther Pendragon was her second husband.
Kay
: Britt’s seneschal and supposed foster brother. He takes Britt’s safety seriously and is often seen writing in a log book.
Lancelot
: The only son of King Bors whom Britt despises thanks to modern King Arthur stories and legends.
Leodegrance
: King of Camelgrance, one of Britt’s first allies.
Lot
: King of Orkney and Britt’s worst enemy. He rallied kings and knights and led them to battle before Britt and her allies overthrew him.
Maleagant
: A duke and friend of King Ryence.
Merlin
: Britt’s chief counselor who is also responsible for yanking Britt back through time. He openly uses Britt to accomplish his dream of uniting Britain.
Morgause
: Daughter of Igraine and Arthur’s half sister. She is married to King Lot of Orkney and has four sons: Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth.
Morgan le Fay
: daughter of Igraine, Arthur’s half sister and full sister to Queen Morgause and Queen Elaine. She is known to have magical powers.
Nymue
: The beautiful Lady of the Lake who “gave” Excalibur to Britt.
Pellinore
: A noble-looking king who attacked Britt with King Lot, King Urien, and King Ryence.
Percival
: A Knight of the Round Table, and the son of King Pellinore.
Ryence
: A cowardly king who attacked Britt with King Lot, King Urien, and King Pellinore.
Tor
: the son of a cowherd who is made a knight by Britt. He has a squire named Lem
Ulfius
: An older knight who once served Uther Pendragon and now serves Britt as her chamberlain. He is one of Merlin’s Minions.
Urien
: the brother-in-law of King Lot and a King in his own right, Urien fought with Lot, Pellinore, and Ryence against Britt but has since become Britt’s vassal because he believes she holds his son, Ywain, hostage in Camelot.
Uther Pendragon
: Considered to be one of the greatest kings of England. He is the real Arthur’s father and died some years ago—leaving all of his lands and money to Arthur.
Ywain
: The only offspring of King Urien. He swore loyalty to Britt after being captured by her men and has revered her ever since. Morgause is his aunt.
Other books by K.M. Shea
Robyn Hood:
The Magical Beings’ Rehabilitation Center:
King Arthur and Her Knights:
Three pack (Enthroned, Enchanted, Embittered)
Timeless Fairy Tales
Coming December 2015
The Snow Queen Book 1: Heart of Ice
About the Author
K.M. Shea is a book lover, champion web surfer, and all around geek. She’s been writing for over ten years and has worked as a librarian and a newspaper reporter. K.M. lives in the quaint countryside with her pets: Perfect Dog and Fat Cat.
