Read King Arthur and Her Knights: Enthroned #1, Enchanted #2, Embittered #3 Online
Authors: K.M. Shea
King Arthur and Her Knights: Enthroned #1, Enchanted #2, Embittered #3 (51 page)
Finally, I—and most all of the knights here in London—made the discovery that my Lord Britt Arthurs has another tool with which she can break a man: her smile.
I would be sorely embarrassed to write this, for it sounds like worshipful dribble, but my Lord has a lethal smile. The smile is entirely too feminine, but Merlin’s rumor that my Lord has faery blood makes most perceive it as an enchanting smile. I have never seen such straight, white teeth, and my Lord’s entire face and countenance seems to change when she smiles. I suspect she is in a state of constant apprehension, for I did not notice how tense she is until she relaxed in her smile.
I suspect she will unknowing swindle many a knight change many a mind with the smile. Merlin is already amusing himself, trying think of the ways he use my Lord’s new found charisma.
Kay frowned as he reread the paragraph. “Errors, I’ll have to rewrite it,” he said, glancing at his bed before he hunched over the logbook. Not five minutes later Sir Kay was sprawled across his desk, clenching the quill in his sleep.
…hope we can claim a suitable sword for my Lord. Faery swords are known for being temperamental, but I believe the right one will be instrumental for my Lord’s welfare. It grieved her so to give up the sword she pulled from the stone.
Tomorrow I will record the details of my Lord’s magical weapon, and my first impressions of the castle Merlin has built for my Lord.
Kay put away his writing materials and waited until the ink dried before he shut the book. He arranged the saddle packs behind him so he could sleep propped up, and settled down to doze as the campfire crackled and his father snored.
He was pulled from sleep some hours later when Britt sat upright, a strangled gasp exiting her chest. She was wide eyed and mussed, but eventually her posture slumped as she relaxed.
Kay nodded when she met his gaze and he shut his eyes. He was surprised when he heard rustling as Britt went through a pack. His eyes popped open and he watched Britt unearth a thick, strangely covered book.
Britt flipped through the pages, stopping abruptly. She read from it—murmuring softly under her breath.
Kay watched curiously, but his curiosity turned to worry when the book fell from Britt’s hand like a stone. Britt was pale, and her eyes were hazy with confusion and terror.
When she picked up the book again Kay stood. He hesitated, intending to take a step towards her, before retreating and approaching his father—who had suspiciously stopped snoring when Britt started paging through her book.
“Father,” Kay quietly said.
“I know, what’s wrong?” Sir Ector said, putting aside the pretenses of sleep as he stood.
“I don’t know,” Kay admitted.
Sir Ector patted Kay on the shoulder before he stood and picked his way around the fire. “Britt?”
When the frightened woman looked up Sir Ector crouched down. “Lass, you’re crying. What’s wrong?”
Britt burst into heart wrenching tears.
Kay hurried to the horses, affectionately patting his hobbled stallion when it blearily blinked at him.
Kay winced as he leaned against his mount. The raw grief of Britt’s sobs were like a sword to his gut. He glanced back at the fire.
Merlin was up now, but Sir Ector held Britt in a fatherly embrace, speaking to her in the soothing tones he used with small children and hurt animals.
Kay grimaced again when Britt cried louder. It occurred to him that while he marveled over Britt’s hidden skills and talents and busied himself with his new duties he never dwelled on the personal sacrifice she had made by becoming king.
“I won’t let this happen again,” Kay vowed, his words frosted with Britt’s tears in the otherwise quiet darkness.
Some weeks later Kay looked up from his calculations—he was trying to estimate the cost of lady’s maids with enough discretion to keep their mouths shut—and watched Britt eat.
The tall monarch stared at the ceiling as she slipped Cavall a piece of egg. She yawned and shook her head slightly before she grabbed her wine cup. “Sir Kay, am I holding open court today?”
“I apologize, I do not know, my Lord,” Kay said.
Britt leaned back in her chair, slipping her enormous dog another piece of food. “There’s no need to apologize, you aren’t my secretary, but thank you,” she said before she stared at her pewter plate.
Kay pushed away his sheet of calculations and unearthed his logbook. His records on the new King were growing so detailed it was easier to write throughout the day than wait until the evening. Britt was the only one who showed any interest in the logbook, and he didn’t have to worry about her ever reading it—she couldn’t read his writing.
My Lord Britt Arthurs is troubled. I cannot say for certain, but I suspect she is homesick for her time. The captain of the guard squad that is posted to my Lord during the night has informed me that she does not sleep, but instead roams the castle walls. I followed my Lord and her guards twice at a distance. She appears to be restless and disheartened.
I fear the lack of sleep will weaken her constitution. I must say something to Merlin about it.
At least Britt is well enough to eye me balefully whenever she complains of her guards. I am glad her insomnia does not affect her personality, but I am gladder still she hasn’t yet figured out Cavall’s purpose as a guard dog.
Note: I must find and train a secretary for my Lord
.
Kay snapped awake and rubbed the sleepy haze from his eyes before he blearily looked around his desk. There were lists of soldier enlistment, weapon costs, provisions purchases, and detailed maps of the area Merlin and his men had selected to serve as base camp.
Kay leaned back in his chair and glanced at his Britt Arthurs logbook. He hadn’t written in it since Merlin left to magic King Ban and Bors’ 10,000 mounted men across the ocean. He hadn’t even had a chance to report his impressions of Roen—Britt’s new horse. (Who was really becoming more of a pet to her than a warsteed.)
Kay sighed before he leaned back over his sheets of figures and numbers. “Later,” he said.
Internally Kay promised himself he was
not
delaying the record keeping because then he would be forced to face the fact that they were going to place Britt Arthurs in the middle of a bloody battle.
Kay watched Britt throw a stick. Cavall dutifully fetched it and brought it back to her, earning himself a pat on the head.
Kay smiled briefly before he returned his attention to his logbook and finished his entry for the day.
My Lord appears to bear no ill marks from the war. She was not physically hurt, but I had feared all the blood and death would affect her. It is good Merlin brought her back early—although I wish he had taken a squad of soldiers with him.
Young Ywain follows my Lord like a puppy. His admiration of her grows on a daily basis. Merlin sees this too and has begun studying Britt more thoughtfully. He asks for her opinion now before making final decisions.
Sir Bodwain’s attitude towards my Lord has shifted as well, for he now treats her with a great deal of respect instead of toleration. I do not know what has changed his mind, but I am glad for it.
Writing this down has made me note how my Lord’s knights and advisors have changed, but I do not think my Lord has changed at all. She is still easy going and strong both physically and mentally. Perhaps even I do not give her enough credit, for she is but one person and she has changed the fate of an entire country
.
Kay looked up from his writing to watch Britt throw the stick again. Cavall retrieved it, eliciting praise and a hug from Britt.
Merlin was circling Britt, speaking to her although the monarch clearly was not paying attention. As if to prove the point Britt turned and called out, “Kay, when are we going to go on our daily ride? I have a carrot I’ve been holding onto for Roen and it’s going to turn to mush soon if I keep sitting on it like I have been.”
Kay glanced at his log book and smiled. “Whenever you wish, my Lord.”
“Let’s go now, then.”
“I object, you still haven’t learned how to properly bow,” Merlin said.
“I’m King, why do I need to know how to bow?”
“There is that,” Merlin grudgingly admitted.
“Come on, Sir Kay. Let’s go,” Britt said, hurrying through the courtyard before Merlin could come up with a rebuff.
“As you wish, my Lord.”
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 2014
Rumpelstiltskin:
When Gemma’s drunken father tells King Torgen of Verglas she can spin straw into gold, Gemma assumes her life is over. King Torgen imprisons her in a tower filled with straw, and orders her to spin it all into gold. If she does not complete the task in one night he will behead her the following morning. In the tower, Gemma finds that she is not alone. A strange man who calls himself Stil is there as well. The mysterious Stil offers to help Gemma, for a price. Will Gemma survive King Torgen’s demands and Stil’s unusual deals?