AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shifted on the hard stone I sat on. I couldn’t imagine how bringing the sword back would help things. We’d only have to keep it away from Arthur. And how exactly were they planning on managing that?
Still, who could say just what Merlin might have up her sleeve? She hadn’t told us about the arch, after all. Not until she’d had to. What other knowledge might she possess about the sword’s true nature?
Vesper was still playing. He'd removed his leather jerkin and his white shirt clung to his skin, emphasizing the lean muscles of his chest and arms. His fingers moved expertly across the strings, weaving a soft and pleasant melody that reminded me of a children's lullaby my mother had sung for me as a child.
With a pang, I looked over at where Odelna sat. She had come closer to the group and now huddled on the ground near Draven, her arms tucked around her knees. Draven had placed one of his tunics around her shoulders and it covered her like a blanket. Her eyes were focused only on the crackling flames of the fire.
For the past few nights, Lancelet and I had taken turns sleeping with the girl. Tonight I would sleep in my own tent.
Had the little girl's mother sung her this same lullaby? Would she ever tell us what had happened to her? Had it been too terrible for her to speak of, to recall?
Back in Camelot we would find her a safe new home. Either at the temple, or with a real family. One that would help her to start over. A patient family that would take their time with her and accept that even if she never spoke another word ever again, she was worth saving and worth loving.
My breath hitched in my throat as I thought of my own family.
Kaye loved me, yes. But the rest ?
For the first time I allowed myself to say it, even if only silently in my own head. My uncle and brother didn’t really care if I lived or died. They only cared about what I could do for them. And when my utility was at an end, I was expendable and would not be missed.
Silver hair or gray, I had always been different. My changing appearance had not improved that. I would never belong. I would never be a true Pendragon.
I would never be the queen I had been born to be.
My own father had not thought I was worthy.
Was I still worthy of the temple? Or when I returned to Camelot, would Arthur decide that like Galahad and the others, I didn’t belong there either?
I looked across the fire at Vesper and he met my eyes, smiling slightly.
I didn’t have much, but I had this at least. This one small thing that was mine. This one thing that was good. I had Vesper.
I waited until one by one the others left the fireside and went to sleep.
When Vesper and I were the only ones left, I stood up and crossed over to him, then pushed the lute gently from his hands.
“Stay with me tonight? Don’t make me sleep alone.”
For a moment he hesitated. I saw the confusion on his face, then it was replaced by something else. I thought I glimpsed affection and desire. Was there a stronger emotion behind his eyes? I wasn’t sure I wanted to know yet.
He took my hand without a word and followed me over to my tent.
