Page 35 of The White Knight

“It would make me happy to make you both happy.”

“I do not want to share you.” My hands release their grip on Guin’s wrists to explore every inch of her soft curves.

“So you didn’t enjoy watching Arthur ravish me with his mouth last night?”

Her lewd comment throws me off guard. Coughing on the sharp breath I inhaled, I lie down next to Guin. I cannot deny what I had felt watching Arthur between Guin’s thighs. Jealousy and anger. But also desire. It aroused me. “Did you enjoy it?”

Guin’s skin turns a deep shade of red. “Yes. I did. But I will not let him touch me again if you don’t want him to. I am yours, Lance.”

I roll out of bed and pull on a pair of pants. Guin reaches out for me, worry in her voice. “Where are you going?”

“We will break our fast with Arthur. Tell him what we have decided. I am going to fetch Augwys.”

“Have we decided?”

“You are my wife and Arthur’s queen. Galahad is my ward but the prince of Camelot—son and heir to Arthur. We can decide the rest once Arthur is with us.” Before I take my leave, I pull Guin to my lips. “I will be right back.”

Chapter 22

Lancelot

The three of usstare at each other after an hour-long debate about our boundaries in this trio of a marriage. We have gone over our expectations repeatedly, memorizing our declarations. We won’t keep a written record of our discussion, and there won’t be any proof that it took place.

As agreed, Guin is my wife. While residing at our home, we may indulge in each other’s company whenever, wherever. At Camelot, we must keep our relationship hidden from the court, from everyone. Guin will appear at Arthur’s side for all public events. She is his queen. And I am to be named godfather to Galahad.

Along with my vow of celibacy and pledge of loyalty to Arthur and Galahad, I will be given the position of chancellor. Chancellor of Logris, Arthur’s kingdom. My new position will grant me the privilege of residing in the royal apartments. Close to Guin. No one, not even our closest allies, must know that my vow of celibacy will be a lie.

“But what if I get pregnant?” Guin asks.

“Your children will be princes and princesses. I will not deny them that right.” Arthur surrounds Guin’s hands in his. A purely innocent move, but my stomach churns with jealousy.

“But we deny Lancelot heirs—a family of his own.” The desperate look of sadness on Guin’s face erases the jealousy I felt as my heart sinks into the bowels of my despair.

“I will not be alone if that is what you are worried about, Guin. I will have you. Galahad. Arthur. We are family.”

“Yes, but I don’t think I can agree to all of this. Ripping your own children from your arms, calling them Arthur’s? Keeping our love a secret. This seems dangerous. Won’t people wonder why you don’t just get remarried?”

Arthur still has Guin’s hands firmly in his. She accepts a kiss on each hand. “This might seem cruel on the outside, but between the three of us, we will be one happy family, united in love, fighting for the same cause. The kingdom will believe we have finally come to an agreement. One that will see Lancelot rewarded for his heroism and honored for his loyalty. Lance cannot re-marry as he is still bound to you by your marital vows. You are bound to me as well from your coronation vows.” Arthur pauses, dragging his fingers through his short blond hair. “The people will believe that in taking a vow of celibacy, Lance has chosen his loyalty to me above all else, and accepted you as my queen.”

Guin’s brow continues to furrow in worry. I reach out to her, lightly brushing the wrinkles away. She turns to me, tears pooling in her eyes, her hands still engulfed in Arthur’s. “What of the people here? Are you afraid they will talk? Rumors spread quickly and could turn on us.”

“I trust all those who reside in my castle. But perhaps we might need to act our parts on the outside when company calls.”

The worry recedes from her brow so that only a thin line creases her skin. But Guin is not finished with her questions.“Lance, are you sure you are fine with denying your children if we should have more?”

“Guin, I will love our children, as I love Galahad. We will have privacy and protection from Arthur. This is a gift. I might not get to shout to the world that you are mine and cannot yell with fatherly pride when you birth more of our children. As long as your hearts are mine, that is all that truly matters to me.”

I stare deeply into Guin’s evergreen eyes, showing her the truth in my words. This arrangement is the best chance we have of a happy life together. It is not perfect, but I will take any opportunity that gives me my Guin. That gives me a family.

“Will Lance and I be able to…share a bed occasionally when we are both living at Camelot?” Guin turns to Arthur.

“That is why I have arranged for him to live in our apartments permanently. You will not need to sneak around and risk someone discovering you two.”

Guin squeezes Arthur’s hands, a sigh of relief escaping her delectable lips. “Thank you, Arthur. You are truly a kind, loving, selfless man. I will be the queen you need me to be, a wife to Lance in secret, and our children will help us make a new world together. A new ending to the tragic tale of King Arthur.”

Reaching over the table we are congregating around, Arthur grabs my hand, the three of us joined together. “Let us repeat all of this once more. We need to be of one mind. Understand each other’s needs, as Guin suggested. We are a family.”

“One really fucking weird family, but I love you all,” Guin says, a smile replacing the last bit of worry on her beautiful, freckled face.

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