Page 299 of Kingdoms of Night

“I need you in Camelot,” Geraint continued. “I need you to work with Arthur and the witches. If anyone can find a loophole, it’ll be you.”

She grinned at that. Then she offered him her fist. Geraint pounded her knuckles, then he brought her into a hug. She’d been willing to give up her sword to help his wife. He’d never forget that.

“Candor,” said Enid, “you can’t leave your home.”

Geraint took his wife’s hand. “You are my home. Wherever you go, that’s where I’ll be.”

Enid opened her mouth to protest. Then she looked over his shoulder. Her gaze lighted on all of the men on horseback, geared up and ready to do battle. For her.

“You gave up something precious to you to protect us,” said Arthur. “Even if you weren’t already a part of this family, that act of chivalry would honor bound us to do the same for you.”

Lance dismounted and brought his horse to them. Geraint hefted himself up onto the steed. Then he reached down and swooped Enid into his arms, sweeping her off her feet and bringing her under his protection. He held her tightly to him as they rode off into the middle of the night.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE

When she’d sunk into the ground and cast that spell, Enid had thought that was the end. She had assumed she’d be alone for the rest of her days without a home, without any family, without love.

Now horses’ hooves struck the ground in thunderous unity. The scenery blurred in front of her. To each of her sides rode knights with their hands on the hilts of their swords and one eye on her. Not out of wariness and distrust, but in watchfulness and duty.

At her back, her husband held her tightly to his chest. Even when they came to a stop in front of a smaller castle, he still did not let her go. She barely heard the orders he barked to the young knights as they all dismounted and took sentry. Geraint carried Enid in his arms inside the castle, up a spiral staircase, and into an airy bedroom.

He said nothing as he sat her on the bed. He offered no words as he disrobed her. He made no sounds as he did the same with his clothing.

The drops of water falling in the shower was the only sound for long minutes. Geraint lathered Enid’s body with soap, taking special care with her soiled hands and feet. His movements were not sexual, but they were the most comforting touch Enid had ever experienced.

He wasn’t leaving her. She wouldn’t be alone.

He took care as he toweled her body. His hands lingered over her flat belly. Finally, his gaze connected with hers.

“I thought you were pregnant,” he said.

Her heart sank at those words. Enid couldn’t speak. She could only shake her head in answer to his question.

“I thought that’s what you were keeping from me. That that made you smell different.”

“You noticed a difference in my scent?”

“I notice everything about you. I knew something was wrong. But I didn’t guess…”

He wrapped the towel around her body. Folding it once, twice. Then tucking the edge off the center of her breasts. Finally, he stepped aside, giving her his back.

“I should have told you,” she said.

“Yes.” His voice was explosive as he whirled back around. “You should have.”

With anyone else, Enid’s thorns would’ve sprung forth ready to protect herself. Not with him. She deserved his ire.

“You are my wife. We are a unit. What happens to you affects me.”

“We can dissolve the union.” Her voice was a reed on the wind.

Geraint’s eyes went wide. “Dissolve?”

“I will renounce any claim I have on you so that you may find a wife that can bear you children.”

“Children?” His features fell. “Do you really believe that I would turn you over if you’re barren?”

“Your line would end with me if I didn’t give you sons.”

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