Page 54 of The White Knight

The two men I am looking for are seated outside at a wooden table, joined by two of King Nentres’ men and a lady. Her back is to me, so I cannot make out who she is.

“We have been waiting years for our queen to produce another heir for our king,” Mordred spews after taking a deep sip of his drink. “Now that she is with child, they keep it a secret? Why? What else are they keeping from us?”

Mordred’s voice becomes louder as he speaks. The people at the table next to him glare in anger. “And how do you know the queen is pregnant?” A woman at the table over asks.

Maleagent answers with a cocky smile. “Thequeenlet it slip to me the other day. Did she tell you, Elaine?”

Elaine?Why is she here? I know Arthur said she was a spy, but this seems a bit of a blatant move to be sitting out in public with Mordred and Maleagent. “She did not have to, I guessed,” Elaine says with a laugh. “But it is too soon to be certain. The baby inside might not survive. It is more likely that they are waiting until they are sure that Guinevere and the baby are healthy before making the announcement.”

“Hmmm, and how long will that take?” Maleagent tosses the rest of his drink down his throat, slamming the tankard to the table.

“Usually a couple of months. But, you should know this, Maleagent. Do you not have a wife and children?” Elaine sounds innocent and sweet, but I know it is a jab at his ignorance. Perhaps her role as a spy is also to sew in the truth, make sure Mordred and his companion do not overstep too much.

“I do. Four boys.” Maleagent winks at Elaine. “But I do not bother myself with womanly details.”

“I see,” Elaine tuts. “So, why concern yourself with Queen Guinevere’swomanly details?”

“Elaine,” Mordred warns.

“I thought you said this lady of yours was on your side. Seems to me like she is just another pawn stuck up your queen’s cunt,” Maleagent scoffs.

Elaine speaks before Mordred can answer, glaring at him. “I am no one’s lady.”

Mordred grabs Elaine by the jaw. “Is that what you think?”

Thin, feminine fingers reach up and gently flick Mordred’s rough fingers from her face. “Yes,” she says sternly, staring into his eyes, daring him to counter her. But all he does is smile. I am stunned. Mordred must truly be in love with Elaine. If anyone else spoke to him in such a way, they would not have received a smile.

He clears his throat, keeping his eyes fixed on Elaine’s. “What news do you bring to us from the royal apartment? Have you witnessed our beloved White Knight breaking his vows yet?”

My skin tingles. Perhaps I should not have shown Guin such affection in front of Elaine. Arthur trusts her, and he does not easily trust. I must put my faith in Elaine. “The White Knight remains pure,” she says.

One of the other men sitting with them at the table perks up at Elaine’s statement and asks, “Are you speaking of Lancelot?” Elaine nods her head in response before he continues with his next inquiry. “There have been many rumors about him and the queen. Were they once married?”

“Legally, they are still married, but he has stepped aside since he had been gone for eight years. Guinevere moved on and married Arthur in his absence,” Maleagent answers coldly.

“We all thought him dead, Maleagent.” Elaine’s voice quivers, doing her best to sound neutral.

The second man, an older knight with a head covered in gray hair, chimes in, “It is all quite strange. And now Lancelot lives with them in the royal apartments instead of having his own rooms. That would seem more appropriate. If I were Arthur, I would banish Lancelot, keep him away from my wife.”

Maleagent jumps in to add, “There is definitely something unseemly going on behind closed doors. I would not be surprised if Guinevere sneaks into Lancelot’s room at night.”

That is my cue to make my presence known. I signal to Kei, telling him to come in on the other side of the table. “Would you like to make this accusation known to the king? Or shall I tell him of your…theories?”

“It seems a fair question, does it not, gentlemen…lady?” Maleagent emphasizes the last word, scanning the others at the table, his eyes landing on Elaine.

“What exactly is the question you are asking?” I bring his attention back to me.

“Did you impregnate Queen Guinevere? Is she hiding your brat inside her as she is now hiding your son as Arthur’s heir?”

Kei walks up on the other side of the table, placing a hand on Maleagent’s shoulder. “You should watch your tongue. It is known that our prince was conceived out of wedlock. But heisour prince. Heisthe heir to the throne of Camelot. Our queen is loyal to her king. As is our chancellor. To suggest otherwise would give us reason to arrestyou.”

“Are you another pet of the queen’s? She seems to have so many loyal...knights by her side.” Maleagent is relentless, more so than Mordred.

It takes all my strength not to skewer the man right here for speaking about my Guin in such a way. I want to wring his neck, snapping every bone within. I want to rip his tongue out. Gut him like a fish. Slam his head against a rock until he is unrecognizable. Cut off his—

“I seem to have struck a nerve with you, Sir Lancelot. Did I offend your whore’s honor?”

“Maleagent, enough,” Elaine whispers harshly, as Mordred chuckles heartily. “You should not say such things. Lancelot is sworn to protect the king and queen, which includes their honor. If you dishonor them, of course Lancelot will act accordingly.”

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