Guinevere settled herself at the edge of her bed, dropping the shoes to the floor.
A look of hunger leaked into the eyes of the man before her as he knelt on the ground. His fingers were delicate on her ankle, drawing her foot out from her dress, his other hand found the back of her calf, givinga gentle squeeze.
She bit back a gasp at the sudden touch, choosing to scowl at her knight. He caught her gaze, lips ticking upwards. His eyes did not leave hers as he grabbed her shoe from the ground, using his teeth to untie the lace that held it together.
Lancelot’s eyes flickered to her lips for the briefest second before returning to her gaze, his smile curling at the edges. He tugged gently at the laces with his teeth, his fingers sliding further up her calf, just enough to make her breath catch again.
“Is this part of your training?” she teased, raising an eyebrow. “How to untie laces with nothing but your teeth?”
A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, and he gave her a look that sent a shiver up her spine. “I could teach you... if you’d like.” His words were slow, deliberate, as though savoring the moment.
Gwen’s lips twitched into a smile, but she masked it with a practiced sigh. “Perhaps later, my knight. I’m sure you have other... important duties.”
He grinned as he finished unraveling the knot with a flourish. “Oh, your grace, I’d never leave you with such a task. Consider it my honor.” His voice dipped lower as he placed the sandal gently on her foot, his fingers lingering just a touch too long.
She watched him carefully, but the playful warmth in her chest softened the edge of her usual composure. “You really know how to make a woman feel... helpless.”
He laughed softly, the sound warm and rich. “Not helpless, my queen. Just... well cared for.”
Gwen rolled her eyes with a mock groan. “Well cared for, indeed.”
“Now that you are clothed and I have properly attired your feet, my queen, may I escort you to breakfast? You must be famished.”
“I am hungry,” she admitted with a quiet laugh.
“Did you eat at all yesterday?” His voice sounded concerned, the teasing lilt missing entirely.
She bit her lip at his sudden shift in tone, a warmth spreading through her chest at the unexpected tenderness. “I... I did not,” she confessed, feeling the weight of her own neglect. “I might have been a little preoccupied.”
Lancelot raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’m sure I could convince you to eat, even if it means distracting you with something more... enjoyable.”
Her gaze flickered to his face, watching the play of shadows and light across his features. “Is that your official strategy, then? Trick me into following the King’s rule with charm and wit? I’m afraid you’re wasting your time.”
He shrugged, the movement easy, as if this was all part of the grand scheme. “I’m not the man for that job, Gwen. His grace made a mistake assigning the vagrant rule-breaker to be the one to break you.”
She smiled softly, hiding her face from him as they stepped into the hallway.
His head dipped, lips near her ear when he muttered, “Besides — We could have fun breaking so manydifferentthings together, highness.”
6
Lancelot trailed behind her as they made their way to the dining hall, humming a nondescript tune as he followed her. “Did you eat yesterday?” Gwen asked, looking over her shoulder.
“Of course.” She didn’t have to be looking at him to hear the smirk on his face. “Couldn’t have let the food your poor maids brought you go to waste.”
“You ate my meals?” She stopped in her tracks, turning on him. “What if I decided I wanted them during the night?”
“Did you?” He asked, voice even. “I slept by your door, your Grace. You did not open it once.”
She spluttered, eye twitching as she looked at his smug face. “You slept by my door?” She asked, incredulous.
“God, of course not. How miserable would that be?” He laughed, easily sidestepping around the queen. “Arthur gave me the maid’s chamber nearest to your door. Said you refuse to force your handmaids to sleep in a ‘stuffy excuse of a closet.’”
“Itisa poor excuse for a space for anyone to sleep in…” Gwen muttered under her breath, still processing.
His grin only widened. “Are you offering to share?” He teased — but there was something in his voice that hinted more than jest.
“What would my husband,Kingof Camelot, think of you trying to worm your way under my covers?” She shot back, digging a finger into his shoulder. “Talk about improper.”
