Silence. Ringing. Pulsing. Because now I know what’s coming.
"Callahan Thomas. Knight of the Black Table, sworn in celibacy to God."
Cal. Sweet, gentle Cal who couldn't hurt anyone.
"Did you lie with him?"
"Yes."
"Did he resist?"
The question catches me off guard. "What?"
"Did he resist your advances?"
"I—" I'm being asked if I forced him? “It wasn't like that."
"Did he say no?"
"No. He didn't say no."
"He surrendered to you."
Surrendered. Like Cal was a fortress and I laid siege. Like he was pure until I touched him.
"He chose me," I say. "It was his choice."
“You gave him no choice!”
For the first time, the prior’s voice lifts to a shout.
"Did you experience pleasure with him?"
"Yes."
"Did he?"
God. I remember Cal's face, the wonder in it, the way he touched me like I was something sacred?—
"Yes."
"Did you, by means of your body, entice him to profess his love to you and abandon his sacred vow?”
Cal. It was so simple. So nice.I love you, Gwenna.
"Yes." The word is barely a whisper.
I tense myself. We’re almost done. We have to be.
"Lanzelin Dell’Acqua. Knight of the Black Table, sworn in celibacy to God."
Lanz. Who held me as I shook, who kissed me right in that kitchen like we’d never run out of time.
"Did you lie with him?"
"Yes."
"When?"
