Page 17 of The White Enchantress

Her stunning visage brings out a primal, animalistic feeling that rises deep from my groin. I must have her, is my only thought. My mouth moves and words fall out before I can stop myself. “Would you care to join me?”

The lady clears her throat nervously before responding. “So sorry, this place is usually vacant. I like to come here and waste away the day thinking about nothing. I should head back though. See if the priestesses need my help with anything.”

Her nervous reaction to my invitation to join me in the lake quickly shakes me back to my mind. I see her from the inside, lost and alone. Then, it dawns on me that she must be the one mymother had written about. How she had stumbled into the lake on a misty day, plunging down into its depths.

As the lady turns to head back to the compound, I convince her to stay with a crooked smile. “I will not disturb your thoughts. Unless you want me to.”

Slowly, she sits back down on her boulder as I turn back toward the lake, recalling Morgana’s account from my mother’s letter. The impossible rescue from certain death invaded my dreams all week long.

Merlin had prophesied such an event would occur during Arthur’s reign. And my mother confirmed it with a vision of her own shortly after. A woman from another world would bring forth a sword from its dark, watery grave, awakening the magic within. The sword would come to life and bond itself to the one who will carry the kingdom to prosperity and unite all its people.

Is this woman that person? Merlin had believed the sword to be meant for Arthur. Perhaps she will decide who to bestow the sword Excalibur upon as she is presumed to be a prophetess. Knowing who she is does not stop my body from wanting her any less though.

I sense her eyes on me. She has not looked away since our eyes first met. Not wanting to startle her, I slowly turn back around and meet her gaze. Red instantly flushes her cheeks, a color to match the beautiful locks of hair that frame her round face.

“I didn’t mean to stare. It’s been a while since I saw a man. It’s like looking at an alien.” She laughs, the sweetest sound, and turns back to the lake.

“What is an alien?” I ask.

“Oh, just like a foreign being, not of this earth.”

“Like an angel?”

“You could say that, yes. But you are more god-like.” Her cheeks turn an even brighter red which makes my chest flutter. But I came here for a reason, to seek the truth in what Vivienne had written. I will not let my guard down.

“My mother wrote to me about you. You are the White Enchantress. The one who found Excalibur in the lake.” I do not ask this as a question but as a statement.

“Yes, though I’m not too sure about the enchantress part.”

“I find you quite enchanting.” I catch her eyes again, showing her my most charming smile, needing her to trust me. “Can I see the sword? Excalibur.”

“Um, yeah, sure.” She gracefully hops down from the rock and grabs the sword from the ground.

“Do you carry Excalibur with you everywhere you go?” I ask, wondering how she can carry such a large sword around the island without a scabbard.

“No, it just shows up wherever I am.”

That was not the answer I was expecting. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I had left the sword in my room two hours ago when I came out here. I didn’t even have to look down to know that itmagically appeared right next to me shortly after I sat down on this rock.”

“May I?” I ask, holding out my hand. She places the hilt gently in my right hand, cradling the blade cautiously with the other. The warm glow from the blade dims as I take possession.Interesting.

The lady sits back down on her rock as I admire the sword. It’s beautiful. Surprisingly lightweight. And it’s vibrating with power. This is Excalibur. It has to be.

“Wait. Did you say ‘mother’? Are you Vivienne’s son?”

I peel my eyes away from the sword, guiding them up to the lady’s pale face. I react quickly when I see her stumble off of the rock, losing her balance. In an instant, the sword is on the ground and the lady is in my arms.

Lightning shoots through me at the feeling of her body so close to mine. I am desperate to press my lips against hers, taste her flesh, and…I cannot allow myself to think of such things.

But I pull her in closer, cradling her head to my chest. I feel absolute bliss. Keeping a tight hold on her, I want to let her know that I will not be the one to let go. I do not want to be anywhere else, but I cannot let this go on forever.

The lady who brought forth the sword of power is not meant for me. I will not tarnish such a delicate creature to sate my own mortal lust. Before I can release the enchantress, she pushes herself away from me, fleeing back toward the compound.

The sudden movement stuns me, leaving me motionless for an eternity. I run after the lady, needing to apologize. I might neverreceive an intimate kiss from her, but I need her trust. She plays a significant part in Arthur’s reign and the entire kingdom. Therefore, she is important to me.

None of the priestesses answer my hurried inquiries about where the enchantress has gone. When I approach the gardens, I no longer need to ask which direction she went. I feel her presence as if she is standing right next to me, whispering my name in my ear. I turn toward the whisper, and there she is, peering down from a window.

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