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Arthur’s fortress was expected to see the most action when it came. His contingent would have to guard against western incursions, seaboard attacks, as well as land invasions from the south and east.
He was ready for it. He’d make sure they all were.
By tacit agreement, Arthur was in command of this stronghold and the small army that protected it. He assumed responsibility for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the humans in the surrounding areas as well.
He took the position of leadership naturally, though many of the warriors here were respected leaders in their own right. Perhaps it was because he bridged the divide between different Kinds of Immortals as well as between Immortals and humans most easily.
“It is because you are theKing,” Lancelot told him.
“Not everyone wants to be the leader even if they could hold the position admirably. You, on the other hand, were not only born into the position, but you have always been borntothe position. There is a reason people of all Kinds want to follow you. It is one of the qualities that led me to choose you. It is simply who you are.”
Arthur felt that his Mate might be biased positively toward him, but he would do his best to uphold his responsibilities.
Being the Commander of this stronghold gave him a purpose he’d been lacking since being transported from his own time and world. He still had so much to do and learn in these new circumstances. With Lancelot at his side, he felt anchored. Grounded and whole.
The restlessness was gone. In its place were certainty and conviction. No matter what happened, he knew where he belonged. He knew what he was fighting to protect. He wanted to continuously learn and grow so that he might better serve those who depended upon him.
He knew who he was, and he finally found the person he could share all of himself with.
His soulmate.
His love.
They sat now, shoulder to shoulder, at the entrance to a large cave carved into the cliffs that overlooked the sea. It was their own private nook away from the fortress.
Whenever Lance was out patrolling the waters, he returned to this secluded cove to rest before the next outing. He and Rui rotated every week. Rui and Wolfe resided in a different cavern farther along the coast.
Arthur could feel Lancelot’s warm gaze on the side of his face.
“You are staring at me again,” he murmured, a pleased smile quirking the corner of his mouth.
“It is because you are so very magnificent to stare at,” Lancelot said with every seriousness.
Arthur could never quite tell when he was teasing or not.
“I always stare at you,” his Mate added. “You simply never noticed before.”
Arthur shook his head at his inattention.
“No, I never knew. I was too busy sneaking glances atyou,” he admitted.
“We must have been the stealthiest and most thick-headed pair to not have caught each other in the act,” Lance pronounced.
“That about sums it up,” Arthur agreed, turning to meet his lover’s gaze with a sheepish smile.
He cupped the side of Lancelot’s face in his palm, smoothing his thumb across the other man’s lips.
“What are you thinking about?”
Lance was quiet for a while, simply staring back at him.
Then, he said, “I can feel your contentment and joy as if it were my own. But sometimes, I also feel twinges of doubt. Are you happy, Arthur?”
“The happiest,” Arthur answered from his heart, instinctively.
“If I feel doubt, it is only natural. You mustn’t worry,” he added. “I am humbled to have so much in my life. To have purpose and responsibility. To have the trust of so many. And most of all, to have you. At times, I wonder if I will ever truly deserve it.”
Lancelot made a noise of protest, but Arthur spoke over him.
