Page 30 of Lady of the Lake

By the time I get to the top of the stairs, I’m out of breath. I reach the imposing set of iron-studded doors flanked by ancient wood carvings of swords and vines. I take a deep breath andhear an argument within. I recognize Wrythe’s sharp, cold voice cutting off someone, and Raphael say something in answer. I try to catch the words, but the thick doors muffle the sounds. Something about a weapon…? And about a last resort?

Then I hear Wrythe spit my name with derision.

Maybe it’s time to speak up for myself.

The door groans as I push it open, and the chatter falls silent. I cross into the great hall, where moonlight streams in from the high windows onto a great round table. Fifty knights sit around the polished wood, dozens of eyes locked on me.

I recognize a few Pendragon faces. Chief among them is Wrythe, of course. He stares at me with obvious contempt. His niece, Genivieve, sits by his side, her blonde hair swept into coiled braids. Sir Kay sits at the head of the table, his long gray beard draped over his chainmail armor. Out of everyone here, the friendliest face belongs to Raphael’s. He wears an agonized expression and looks exhausted.

“Dame Nia,” Sir Kay says, his lips trembling slightly. His voice is hoarse. “You came.”

With a shock, I realize that six sentries wearing Iron Legion badges stand against the walls of the hall. There never used to be any guardsinsidethe room.

I take another step forward. “I was told I had to show up in person. Some of our allies died to create a diversion so I could come, so let’s make this worth it.”

“Indeed.” Wrythe purses his lips. “You say allies, but you meanFey, don’t you? In what way are the Fey in Brocéliande our allies?” He eyes the Iron League men, and two of them shift closer to me. They look jumpy, about to pounce.

“I’m talking about people trying to overthrow Auberon,” I say, my voice weary “They’re our allies, whether they’re Fey or human.”

Wrythe chuckles. “I’m afraid you haven’t been at this as long as we have, and you don’t know the heroes from the monsters.”

“Would you kindly call your dogs away?” I eye the Iron League men behind me.

Genivieve stands. “The Iron Legion guards are merely here for our protection, in case of a sudden treasonous attack. After all, the Fey are cunning, and for all we know, they have a mole within our ranks. Someone who has been spending a lot of time with them, perhaps.”

“There’s no need for them in here,” Raphael says sharply. “We are the most powerful knights from Camelot. We don’t need these teenage boys.”

“Someof our demi-Fey knights have been solely under Fey influence for a long while,” Wrythe hisses. “Like my niece said, this is for our safety.”

Sir Kay raises his hand. “Stand down, Iron Legion.” His voice becomes deeper, sounding like the man he used to be. “Dame Nia is an Avalon Steel Knight. Her actions saved ahumanarmy just a few weeks ago. She doesn’t need to prove her loyalty all over again.”

The two men back away from me.

“But shedoesneed to prove her loyalty,” Genivieve says in a silky voice. “Isn’t this why we called her here? So she can explain why she just married humanity’s greatest enemy?”

“I already explained through Nivene,” I say cooly. “I had no choice in the matter. My cover depended on me agreeing to the proposal. It’s not exactly a love match.”

“Surely you could have bought some time,” Wrythe says. “Consult with your commanders before recklessly jumping into the Dream Stalker’s bed?—”

“How about you shut the fuck up, Wrythe,” Raphael shouts.

“Come now, Raphael,” Genivieve coos. “Surely you of all people know that Nia’s judgment is impaired when it comes to strong, gorgeous, dark-haired Fey?”

I turn to Sir Kay, knowing that there’s no point in arguing with the Pendragons, but frustration crackles under my skin. “I didn’t have time to consult with Avalon Tower. As Nivene explained already, the Dream Stalker wanted to marry me straight away to avoid another marriage. An hour after he told me the plan, I was fleeing a basilisk. Listen, all this time, I’ve been following Avalon Tower’s directives. Get close to the Dream Stalker, get him to trust me, and help plan the assassination of him and his father. What youshouldbe asking me about is the number of guards surrounding the king at all times.”

Raphael’s pale eyes are locked on me. “Nia, it was a reckless decision,” he says softly.

“For once, we agree,” Wrythe interjects. “And this supposed assassination plan—we’re supposed to count onFeyof Brocéliande? And a demi-Fey with questionable loyalty? That’s not something we can build our hopes on.”

“We donotagree,” Raphael snarls. “I trust Nia with my life. But the Dream Stalker is a ruthless killer, and keeping her there risks her life. I will not let her experience what I did in their dungeons.”

“What would you suggest?” Sir Kay asks, sounding tired, and I realize this argument has been rehashed over and over.

Raphael crosses his arms. “As I’ve been saying, with our growing alliances, and with the Fey army in disarray, we can pull our knights out of Brocéliande, then launch a counterattack.”

Sir Kay shakes his head. “We already have reports on Fey advances into Germany and Spain. Auberon’s army is retaking territory in France. This war will not be won in this realm. It will be won in Brocéliande. With the rest of the information we have from Dame Nivene, we have most of the intel we needregarding Auberon’s fortress security. But first, Nia, we need to understand thoroughly what happened there. Like Raphael said, I also trust you completely. But the Dream Stalker has been known to influence his target from within their dreams. We need to make sure that he hasn’t subverted your judgment.”

I shake my head. “He can’t get into my mind. I have it shielded. I can keep him out.”

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