We were only trying to find Arthur to give him this," she explained, dangling a golden cross on a chain in front of Lucan’s face. I had no idea where she had conjured it from… but it was Arthur’s lucky crucifix. Everyone knew that he seldom went anywhere without it.
"I needed to get this to Arthur," she continued. "In his current state, he forgot it.
But you did a noble thing," she nodded at me. "Helping that boy up after getting stabbed likely saved him from getting trampled."
"Helping that boy up?" Lucan raised his eyebrows. "That boy was at death’s door and then Heleyne knelt beside him and all of a sudden, he was fine. I wish to know how that was possible."
"I… um. I did nothing really," I answered meekly. "I simply held my hands against his wound, slowing the flow of blood. I think it gave him a spare moment to gain his bearings and then he felt fine enough to stand. That is all, my love."
I turned to Guinevere. "And I’m so sorry for my thoughtlessness, your highness." I forced the words from my stubborn lips. "I did not mean to cause you worry or distress. I simply wished to help the little boy."
Guinevere smoothed her face into a calm and loving expression. "Of course I forgive you, dear girl. I know you only meant the best for the young squire. Come now. Let us return to the castle and allow Sir Lucan to return to the battle. Think nothing more of it." She handed the crucifix to Lucan. "Sir Lucan, if you could safely deliver this pendant to the king, I would be most grateful."
Courtney Cole 79
With My Last Breath, Book Three
I could see the wavering in Lucan’s eyes as he purveyed the queen. He wanted to believe her, I could tell. Finally, he shook his head and took the necklace from Guinevere.
"Of course," he replied. "I’ll hand it to him myself, your highness." She nodded.
Lucan set me gently down and stared into my eyes. "Can you walk?" he asked softly. I nodded.
"I’m fine, Luc. Really. I think the sight of the blood and fighting just overwhelmed me and I felt faint. I’m fine now."
"Your good deed should not go unnoticed," he observed, although he still sounded unsure. "I shall speak to Arthur about it."
"There is no need for that," I replied quickly. "I only did what anyone else would do."
Lucan smiled, his white teeth glinting in the moonlight. "So humble," he replied.
"Very well. I’ll walk you to your horses and send an escort back with you to the palace."
We quickly made our way to Guinevere’s mount and Lucan lifted us both onto the horse, instructing four nearby soldiers to personally accompany us back to the palace.
With a quick kiss, he dropped the visor to his helmet and rushed back off into the fray.
I sighed. He had always been a warrior. He thrived in these situations.
Guinevere nudged Flower into a gallop and we made quick time back the winding road to the castle gates. Once there, my mother sent the soldiers back to assist the others and we entered the quiet, safe darkness of the palace fortress.
We slid to the ground and led Flower back to the stables, handing her reigns to a stern Reagan, before making our way back to our bedchambers. I accompanied Guinevere to hers first, helping her out of her gown and into a nightgown before I made my way back to my own chambers.
Too weary to face the long line of buttons on the back of my gown, I sighed and envisioned myself dressed in a cotton nightgown. Immediately, I was and my green velvet gown was hanging neatly in my armoire.
Crossing the room to the open windows, I leaned my forehead against the cool stone bricks as I gazed down the mountainside. I could see the torches that the soldiers carried flickering in the night even from here. Somehow, it gave me a sense of comfort, seeing them move and burn. Lucan was there with them and the fire marked where he traveled. Somehow, even though it was irrational, I felt as though if those torches were burning brightly, then Lucan was safe and well.
"What have you done?"
I startled at the calm voice and turned.
Lachesis, the middle sister of the Fates, was sitting on my bed, silently observing me. I glanced at the moon outside. It was nowhere near midnight.
Courtney Cole 80
With My Last Breath, Book Three
I swallowed my annoyance at her habit of appearing in my bedchambers and crossed the room to stand in front of her, determined to act meek, as though I had no idea of the power that I actually wielded.
"I’m sorry, Lachesis," I murmured innocently. "I thought the time to meet you was midnight. Am I late?"
"No," she replied coolly. "But you have misbehaved. And I would like to know why."
"I don’t know what you mean," I answered, leveling my gaze at her pale face.
In the moonlight, she appeared even paler than normal, her milky skin almost transparent. Her white-blonde hair flowed down her back, her lips plump and red. She could appear in any form that she wished, but this was her favorite. I found that I preferred it to the frightening hag that she truly was.
"Yes, you do," she contradicted. "You used your bloodstone to heal someone, a boy. Why?"
I tried to conceal my surprise. How in the world did she know that already?
"It was an accident," I answered quickly. "I have no idea what happened. One moment I was kneeling beside him, only to check on his wound, and the next moment, he was healed. I have no idea what happened."
I prayed that I was convincing, that she would think that I had inadvertently and innocently tapped into goddess power without realizing it…and that I thought it was simply the power of the bloodstone.
She studied my face, probing my thoughts, trying to ascertain my sincerity. Finally, her gaze broke and I knew that I had passed this test. She believed me. I had successfully outsmarted one of the Fates… something that was unheard of. I breathed a small sigh of relief.
"You should have been more careful," she admonished me. "You know that your bloodstone is powerful. You could have accidentally revealed yourself to your daedal."
I inwardly groaned. It was difficult to continue this charade, almost painful, but I did my best to look meek.
"You’re right," I acknowledged carefully. "I’ll certainly be more careful next time."
Lachesis scowled in my direction.
"There will not be a next time," she snapped.
And with that, in a flash, she transformed into the stooped ancient hag that she was.