Believe (23 page)

“Arthur is the past.” He straightened his shoulders and raised his chin. All he needed was a cape billowing out behind him to complete the picture. She’d bet he had one too. “I am the future.”

You are one crazy, loony tunes prince.

“What do you want me to do?”

“I wish you to convince Galahad to cease his quest for the Grail.”

“Is that all?” She scoffed. “I thought it was something hard.”

“Do not jest with me.” His voice was low and controlled. “He will do it for you.”

“What planet are you from, pal?”

His brow furrowed with confusion.

“Forget it,” she snapped. “What could possibly make you think Galahad will dump his heart’s desire just because I ask him to?”

“’Tis love that will bend Galahad’s will to yours.” Mordred smirked. “The man is besotted by you.”

“Besotted? Hah! Get real.” She snorted and crossed the room. “Where did you get a stupid idea like that?”

Mordred frowned. “I was led to believe—”

“Led to believe Galahad loved me? Don’t believe everything you hear. It’s a crock.” Even as she said the words she wished they weren’t true. “Who in the—” She stopped and stared. “Viviane! I’m right, aren’t I? That’s who fed you this line, isn’t it?”

“It matters not, if it is untrue.” He studied her for a long moment. A crafty smile spread across his face. “Perhaps I was simply mistaken. Perhaps it is you who love him.”

She shrugged. “So what?”

“So, my lady, if you do not convince him to end his quest I will kill him.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Oh?” He raised a brow. “And why is that?”

Beats me.
Hopefully, the prince couldn’t tell a bluff when he saw one. She swaggered over to him with as much confidence as she could manage and poked her finger at his chest. “Because your daddy, the king, wouldn’t like it.”

He paled and grabbed her hand. “I care not what my father does or does not like.”

“Maybe, but it wouldn’t be a smart move to piss him off before you’re ready for this big revolution, would it?” She smirked up at him and tried to pull her hand away but he held it fast. Her heart hammered with fear but she refused to let it show.
Fake him out, Tessa.

“You are indeed as clever as I suspected.” He stared down at her with icy blue eyes. Arthur’s eyes without the warmth. Creepy. Very creepy. “But I do not need to kill him at once. A quest of this nature is of undeterminable length. I could simply throw him in my dungeons and forget about him. His absence would not be cause for concern in my father’s court for years. Eventually they would assume the noble knight has gone the way of so many before him, slain in a quest to save king and country. None would ever know he lives his days in foul stench and darkness on a diet of rats and spiders and whatever else he may find.”

She stared, praying her defiance hid her frantic efforts to come up with something. She’d already saved the Big Guy from an immediate death only to condemn him to something slower and torturous. How much worse could she do? “No way. It won’t work.”

“Why not?” He yanked her harder to him. A muscle ticked in his jaw. This was one dangerous guy.

“He doesn’t come back and he’s a hero. They’ll make him a legend. They’ll sing songs about him and tell stories about him.” She smiled a wicked smile of her own. “Think about it, Mordred. His name will live forever.”

“Stop!” He shook her hard.

“Anyway you look at it, you’re screwed. You can’t kill him now. You can’t kill him later.” A note of triumph sounded in her voice. “Now let me go. You’re hurting me.”

“I think not.” His words were slow and deliberate. “I don’t think I shall let you go at all.”

“What do you mean?” Could he hear the fear in her voice?

“She said you have something he needs. He cannot find the Grail without you.”

“Viviane is full of it.”

“I believe her.”

“Then you’re full of it too.”

“Am I?” His eyes gleamed and her breath caught. “Galahad’s quest would be doomed to fail and I would not be involved if you were to, how shall I put it, suffer an unfortunate accident.”

“You wouldn’t kill me.” She forced a conviction she didn’t feel to her voice.

“’Twould be a pity.” He glanced down. Her chest was crushed against him and he could see right down her dress. “A very great pity. Perhaps there is another way.” He grabbed the back of her head with his free hand and forced her face to his, crushing her lips beneath his mouth. Real fear shot pure adrenaline
through her limbs. She struggled against his iron grip with a strength she never suspected she had. Would he rape her? Right here? Right now?

“St. Margaret Mary’s High School. Self Defense 101.”

His grasp eased slightly. She pulled away and launched Sister Abigail’s premier move, the steps automatic in her mind:
hands clasped, quick turn and jab
. Her elbow rammed into his stomach.

He groaned and doubled over. She gulped and tried to pull air into a body too terrified to breathe on its own.

He gasped and straightened. Rage colored his face. Terror gripped her. “Whore!”

He pulled back his hand and cracked it across her face, knocking her backward. Pain swept through her. Stars crowded her vision. She stumbled and fell to her knees. He stepped to her, grabbed her hair in his hand and yanked her to her feet. She swung her arms wildly in a futile effort at defense.

“You fool.” He spit the words. “You do not understand. One way or another Galahad’s quest is at an end.” He released her hair and thrust her away. She staggered but stayed on her feet.

She lifted her chin and glared. “Don’t bet on it, pal. He’s the good guy in all this and the good guy always wins.”

He stared in disbelief then laughed. A vicious, mirthless sound that echoed through the room. “Do not wager on that, my lady. When all is said and done, Galahad and his ilk rarely understand that victory requires more than noble virtues and holy morality. Victory goes to he who has strength and power and the
will to use it to his gain. To do whatever it may take to triumph.”

Her face throbbed with pain. “He won’t give up. He’ll never give up.”

“He has no choice.” Mordred turned abruptly and strode toward the door, yanking it open with a vicious force. He turned back toward her. “I will however, give you both the chance to save your miserable lives. If Galahad wishes to continue his quest for the Grail he may do so but he leaves you behind.”

“He won’t do that.”

“I will give him my word no harm will come to you.”

“Your word?” She laughed in spite of herself. “Your word doesn’t mean a damn thing.”

“Nonetheless—”

“And what’s your definition of no harm anyway?”

“I will not kill you.” His gaze drifted to her breasts and she resisted the immediate impulse to cover her chest with her hands. “Nay, I quite think I should prefer to keep you alive. For a very long time.”

She clenched her teeth. “I’d rather die.”

“I will be happy to grant your request.” He raised a wicked brow. “Eventually.”

“Galahad won’t go for it.”

“Then it is up to you to convince him, my lady. In spite of your observations about my father’s reactions, I am more than willing to kill him now and be done with it. If he refuses my offer, I will do so. If, however, he leaves without you, both your lives will be spared. For now. I do not know what you possess that he needs but I have no doubt he cannot find the Grail without you. I want Galahad’s failure more than I want his life.”

She shook her head. “He won’t do it.”

“We shall see. Whether he loves you or not he has sworn to protect you. He can ensure your survival only by leaving you in my hands.” He smiled slowly. “I must say I am quite looking forward to having you in my hands.” He stepped out of the room, the door clanging shut behind him.

Tessa stumbled to the bed and dropped onto it. Her face throbbed where he’d smacked her. All the fear she restrained in Mordred’s presence threatened to overwhelm her and she sobbed for a moment then angrily swiped at the tears on her face. This was not the time to cry. She had to think.

How were they going to get out of this one? The only way she could see to escape Mordred’s clutches was to accept his offer and let Galahad go on alone. But surely, he’d never agree to leave her behind at Mordred’s mercy? Leave her to a fate she could only imagine. A fate that would leave death the only escape. Would he choose the Grail quest over her?

When the offering can be no greater.

Was this the sacrifice of the riddle? Did she have to give up her freedom, condemn herself to a life, however short, with Mordred to save Galahad? In spite of the gutsy facade she’d adopted since her trip through time, she wasn’t really very brave or courageous. She’d spent her entire time here bouncing back and forth between sheer terror and hysteria. The bravest things she’d ever done before taking on the middle ages involved challenging the speed limit to beat a yellow light. She talked a good game but she was basically a wimp. Wasn’t she? Maybe she was braver than she thought. Maybe not, but her character had never been
tested before. She’d never had her own life or anybody else’s on the line.

Until now.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, through all of this, she’d believed Merlin wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. That this was just a game and he’d whisk her away before the bell rang for Final Jeopardy. In spite of all the talk about challenges and dangers and how they could only depend on themselves, she really thought Merlin would protect her. It might have been the dragon or the encounter with Viviane or the very real threat in Mordred’s eye or all of it together, but she knew now she was wrong. Survival, Galahad’s and her own, depended on her.

How could she find the courage to sacrifice her own life to save the life of the man she loved?

How could she not?

W
here was Tessa?

Galahad paced the width of the room that served as his prison. ’Twas no use to try the door: he’d heard the unmistakable sound of a bolt thrown when he’d been cast in here. Odd. Why did Mordred not throw him in his dungeons? In truth, ’twas no difference. ’Twas no way out.

Was she hurt?

His jaw clenched. He’d tried to rest as soon as he realized escape was impossible but his sleep was fitful. His mind was too crowded with dreams of Tessa and fears of what may have befallen her.

Was she dead?

His stomach tightened at the thought and he pushed it from his mind. He would know if she was dead. Somehow, he would know.

The door swung open with a loud creak.

“Galahad. Such a pleasure to see you again.” Mordred stepped into the room.

“’Tis not the word I would have used,” Galahad said coolly.

“We never were very much alike.” Mordred glanced around the chamber. “How do you find my home, Galahad? If memory serves, you spent some time here as a boy, did you not?”

“Aye, when this castle was home to Arthur and his court.”

“’Twas not in truth Arthur’s. ’Twas my mother’s and her kin’s.” Mordred’s voice was hard. “And now ’tis mine.”

Galahad raised a brow but kept silent.

“So,” Mordred narrowed his eyes, “do you not wonder as to the fate of your delightful companion?”

Galahad carefully kept his expression blank. ’Twould not do to let Mordred see how much Tessa meant to him. ’Twould be as foolish as handing the man a sword and aiming it at his own heart. “Nay. I have had much else to consider since my arrival. I assume she is well?”

“She is quite well. For the moment.”

Galahad released the breath he had not known he held. “What do you want of me, Mordred? Why am I here?”

“Say but the word and you shall be free.”

“And after you’ve taken such pains to bring me here.” Galahad arched a brow. “I can scarce believe ’tis that simple.”

“Oh, ’tis indeed simple.” Mordred crossed his arms over his chest and leaned insolently against the door frame. “You have but to give me your word that you will give up your quest for the Grail and you, and your lady, may leave.”

Galahad snorted. “’Tis all you ask?”

“Not entirely. I shall provide you with an escort to
the sea and a ship and you, with the fair lady by your side, shall sail away from England. Forever.”

“Why would I accept such a proposal?”

“To save her life.” Mordred’s eyes glittered with malice.

“And if I refuse?”

“’Tis not the only offer I have made this night.” Mordred held out his hand and studied his nails. “Your lady is even now considering a somewhat different proposition that would ensure your safety.”

“This is between you and I, Mordred.” Galahad clenched and relaxed his hands by his sides. “Tessa is naught but a woman and plays no part in our differences.”

Mordred scoffed in disdain. “My dear, Galahad, she plays a very big part. ’Tis my understanding that without her you cannot find the Grail. Still, as you said, she is nothing but a woman and so I find her importance difficult to believe. Yet I have offered to allow you to continue your quest if,” a satisfied smile quirked his lips, “she stays behind.”

“Never,” Galahad said softly.

“’Tis your choice and that of the lady’s. Which you choose matters not to me. Abandon the quest and the two of you leave together, never to return to this land. Or leave her here and go on without her. Regardless of whether or not she is indeed necessary to your success, I would wager that noble sense of honor you prize so highly would undermine your efforts to find the Grail. Abandoning the Lady Tessa to pursue your own desires would destroy your very soul. Either way, victory is mine.”

“So it would appear.”

“I care not which you choose.” Mordred shrugged. “I care only that you fail on your quest.”

Galahad grit his teeth. “’Tis not difficult to determine why.”

“Nay. ’Tis obvious. I cannot have the people rally around the Grail. I will not give my father that advantage.”

“You cannot defeat Arthur.”

“Oh but I can. With your assistance.”

Galahad narrowed his eyes. “You will receive no help from me.”

Mordred laughed. “Think long and hard before you declare yourself, Galahad. I have given you two choices. There is a third. I can simply kill you now and still keep the lady for my own.”

Anger surged through him. His voice sounded level and cold with a threat even a fool would understand. “I swear by the saints above, Mordred, you touch her and I will not rest, dead or alive, until I see your face twisted in agony.”

“Well said.” Sarcasm dripped from Mordred’s words. “You are as noble now as you were as a youth. ’Twill do you no good but ’tis impressive nonetheless.” He stepped through the open door and spoke in low tones to a guard in the corridor. “I will give you some time to make your decision. And some assistance as well.” Mordred nodded and snapped the door closed.

She was alive. Relief washed through him. But for how long?

He paced the room and tried to think. He’d not been here in more than twenty years. But Castle Le Fay was not invulnerable. There were tunnels, hidden in the dark bowels of the fortress, that led to the forest outside
the castle gates or to hiding places within the castle walls. The perfect places for young boys to explore on long-ago winter days. And all led to freedom.

Did they still exist? And if so, did Mordred know of them? Even as a child he had not often joined with the other youth. If indeed he knew of the existence of such passageways perhaps the details had long ago passed from his mind, replaced by his burning ambition for the crown and his appetite for power. ’Twas indeed a glint of madness in his eye. And madmen were never as shrewd as they believed themselves to be. At least, he prayed ’twas true.

If they could not escape he would have to accept one of Mordred’s offers, even though he suspected the prince would never allow either Tessa or himself to leave alive. ’Twas a choice no man should have to make—loyalty to his king and his life’s ambition or the salvation of the woman he loved.

He was wrong.

‘Twas no choice to be made at all.

The door opened abruptly. Rough voices sounded in the corridor. Tessa stumbled into the room.

“Tessa!”

Her head jerked up. Her eyes widened. “Galahad!”

At once she was in his arms. He greeted her with a frantic relief and a need to embrace her, touch her, kiss her as if, for once, ’twas he who questioned the reality of that before his eyes. He could not hold her close enough and he could not let her go.

“Galahad!” She pulled back and her gaze searched his. “Thank God. Are you okay?”

“I am…” He stared at her face, one side swollen and discolored. “Who did this to you?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Fury burned within him. “Who did this?”

“Who do you think? Prince Personality. Our gracious host.”

He gently pushed her hair away from her cheek. “I shall kill him for this.”

“Normally I’m not into violence but go for it. Although, I gave as good as I got.”

He smiled in spite of himself. “The teachings of the good sisters?”

She grinned. “Sister Abigail would have been proud.”

“As am I.” He released her reluctantly. “We have a great deal to talk about and I fear Mordred will give us little time.”

“No kidding. That is one cranky prince.” She lowered her voice. “I think he’s nuts. You know, crazy. Daft.”

“I agree, there is madness in his manner.”

She touched the side of her face carefully and winced. “And everywhere else. So.” She stared at him with an expectant look. “What’s the plan?”

“The plan?”

“Right. How are you getting us out of here?”

“Tessa.” He chose his words with care. “’Tis not exactly a plan.”

“But you do have a plan, right?”

“’Tis more…an idea?”

“You’re asking me?” She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her forearms as if chilled. And well she might be. He’d not noticed it before but she was wearing a different gown. One that provided an all too revealing view of Tessa’s all too appealing charms.

“’Tis a bit, um…” He waved his hand at her dress and frowned. “Bare, is it not?”

Tessa glanced down then back to him. “Mordred gave it to me.”

“’Tis most immodest. I do not care for it.”

“Good.” She grinned. “Now, don’t change the subject. What are we going to do?”

He did indeed have a glimmer of an idea but he did not wish to raise her hopes. “I am not entirely certain.”

“Just what I wanted to hear. In that case,” she pulled a deep breath, “Mordred offered me a deal.”

“Tessa, I—”

“No.” She thrust out her hand to stop him. “Listen to me and then we can talk, but I figure we don’t have much time to work anything else out and I’ve got to warn you.” She paused. “I’ve made up my mind.”

She pulled her gaze from his and paced, shaking her hands in front of her in that odd manner she had. “Mordred has learned about that stupid business of Merlin’s. That I-have-something-you-need-and-you-can’t-find-the-Grail-without-me stuff.”

“How could he have learned such a thing?”

“Let’s just say there’s a leak in the castle.”

“Only when it rains,” he murmured.

“It doesn’t matter how he knows,” she said sharply, “only that he knows. Anyway, he says you can go if I stay here. So…”

She fell silent. He wanted to say something but could do naught save stare. She turned toward him. Her gaze met his.
By the heavens, she is a stubborn wench.

“I’m going to stay.” She couldn’t quite hide the hint
of fear in her eyes.
And courageous. She would have made a fine knight.

“Then I will not leave.”

“You have to.” Her voice quavered but held firm.

“Nay.”

“There isn’t—”

“Nay, Tessa.” He shook his head. “I can be as obstinate as you and I will not go without you by my side.”

“Are you sure about this? This is your chance to continue on your quest exactly the way you planned. Without me.”

“Without you?” He smiled. “I cannot conceive of continuing my quest, my life, without you. ’Twould be like cutting out my heart.”

For a long moment, she stared as if afraid to believe him. Then she heaved a relieved sigh or a sob and buried her face in her hands. “Thank God. I was so scared.” She dropped her hands and cast him a shaky smile. “I have a confession for you. I’m a wimp. I don’t have a brave bone in my body. And I really don’t want to die before I’m even born. It’s not how I planned on spending my sabbatical. I don’t want to think about what it would be like here with that slimy, sleazy, obnoxious creep. What he was planning to do to me or with me before he finally killed me. And I’m pretty sure—hey!” Her forehead furrowed thoughtfully. “Did you say something about your heart?”

He raised a brow. “’Tis not an opportune time to discuss matters involving my heart.”

“It may be the only time we have,” she said slowly. “What did you mean?”

His gaze meshed with hers. Was it hope he saw in her eyes? Or unease? What if she did not share his
feelings? His world was so different when compared to hers, how could he dare—

“Galahad?”

He shrugged and held his breath. “I love you, Tessa St. James.”

“I don’t…” She shook her head in disbelief. “What about your wife?”

“My wife is long dead.”

“But you still love her.”

“Aye.” He nodded. “And I shall love her forever.”

“That’s what I thought,” she said quietly.

“Tessa, my heart and my mind have wrestled with this since I first suspected the truth of my feelings. I vowed to love Dindrane always and indeed I will.” He paused. How could he make her understand? “’Tis not a question of her or you. My love for you does not diminish what I felt for her.”

“But she was perfect.”

“And you are not.” He couldn’t resist a wry smile. “’Tis one of your charms.”

Tessa shrugged helplessly. “I can’t compete with perfect.”

“’Tis not a competition. ’Tis difficult to explain.” He struggled to find the right words. “Dindrane possessed my heart. You, fair Tessa, are my heart. It is as if I am incomplete without you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I do not fully comprehend it myself. I know I would have gladly given up my life for my wife if given the choice. I would have protected her with my strength and my sword and my last breath but I would not have wanted her by my side in times of trouble.”

He gazed into her eyes. “I would have you always
by my side. I would die to save you but if I could not, I would die with you.”

Her eyes widened. “You’d die with me? No kidding?”

“No kidding.”

“I…” She raised her hands in a helpless manner. “I don’t know what to say.”

“’Tis a miracle.” He grinned. “I love you, fair Tessa.” He took her hand and placed a kiss in the center of her palm. “And I will feel thus forever.”

“Forever?” She laughed weakly. “Kind of a relative term given the circumstances, don’t you think? Forever doesn’t seem like much of a possibility right now.”

“I wish to have forever with you.” He adopted a firm tone. “’Tis why I have decided to accept the offer Mordred made to me.”

“Mordred offered you a deal too?” She withdrew her hand and raised her brow. “I’ll bet this is good.”

“’Tis indeed intriguing.” He paused for a moment. “He wishes us to abandon the search for the Grail and leave England, never to return.”

Her eyes widened. “No way.”

“Aye. Way,” he said, his manner steadfast. “’Tis decided.”

“Not by me.”

He stared down at her. “’Tis not your decision to make.”

“Oh, ’tisn’t it? Listen to me.” She raised her chin and he knew any objection he would make was for naught. “You wouldn’t let me take Mordred’s deal. You wouldn’t let me give up my freedom—”

“And no doubt your life.”

“So what makes you think I’m going to let you give
up what you’ve wanted for as long as you can remember, and break a promise to your king in the process, to save me?”