Page 25 of The White Enchantress

When I received the letter from my mother detailing Guinevere’s unimaginable appearance, Arthur wanted to believe every wordof it. Of a lady hovering over Lake Avalon with a sword glowing a bright white and fiery hair billowing in the mystical winds that blew forth announcing her arrival.

The vision Arthur imagines of a unified kingdom is still to come. With Excalibur at his side, no one would deny his power. He would be King of Kings, the one true ruler of a new land.

I will help him achieve this dream no matter the cost. And if he needs Guinevere at his side, the cost will be my heart, and I would gladly give that up for Arthur. I believe I could, at least.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” a voice from behind me proclaims. I do not need to turn around to know whose voice it is, but I turn nonetheless. Guinevere glares at me, one hand on her hip, waiting for me to answer her.

“No, I have not.”

“You snuck down here after you saw me leave my post.”

“I would not say that I snuck here. I did not wish to disturb you, my lady.”

“Please call me Guinevere. I really hate being called ‘my lady.’”

I nod in affirmation. “All right, Guinevere. What may I do for you?”

“I want to know why you are avoiding me. I know why I was avoiding you.”

“And why is that?”

“No, I asked you first.”

“I am afraid I cannot tell you why. It would make a lady like you blush.”

“There is a reason I do not like to be called a lady. I am no such thing.” Her smile draws a picture of a devilish woman.What is she thinking?Those green eyes glow with mischief. If she does not cease looking at me with such passion, I am not sure I will be able to hold myself back. “Let us be honest with each other. Our attraction is obvious, isn’t it? You want me. I want you. If we are honest now, it won’t be so shocking later.”

“What exactly are you saying, Guinevere?” My voice quivers in anticipation. I know what she is going to ask for and I need to muster all my strength to say no, to deny my need for her. Before I can say anything more, Guinevere removes her robe, standing naked before me. I reach for her, unable to control my need to touch her supple breasts and dip a finger into–

“Lancelot! Lancelot, wake up. It is time for you to depart. The horses are being readied and your supplies packed. Your mother wishes to speak with you before you make your way to Camelot.” Morgana is shaking my shoulders, coaxing me out of a deep sleep.

“Hmph,” I grunt, wanting to fall back asleep to the erotic dream I was about to have. An entire week alone with Guinevere. These dreams will likely only get worse. I am determined to conquer them though, to conquer my desire for her.

I roll out of bed, quickly pull on my clothing, and gather my belongings before making my way to my mother’s quarters. When I enter, Vivienne is kneeling on the ground, praying to her goddess for our safe journey to Camelot. I wait patiently for her to finish.

“I must tell you something, Lancelot, about Guinevere.” My heart begins to race, beating against my chest so hard it will burst open. “She was not happy that Arthur has requested her presence at Camelot. Though she is willing to hand over the sword, she fears what life will be like once she arrives at court. I know Arthur to be a kind man. Nonetheless, I need you to promise that you will not let him force matrimony on Guinevere. She does not wish to be his queen if that is Arthur’s plan. Though she may change her mind after meeting Arthur. I only ask that you protect Guinevere. I know she plays an essential role in the years to come. She must choose Arthur of her own free will. Do you understand?”

“Yes, mother. I will protect her, even from Arthur. You have my word.”

“As I thought. And, Lancelot, be careful of your love for her. Make sure it is love you feel before you act on it.” I am shocked by my mother’s blatant statement, though not surprised. She has a way of knowing exactly how I feel on the inside, no matter how hard I try to keep it there. My reaction is all she needs to confirm what she already knows. “Guinevere should be waiting out in the courtyard. Safe journey.”

“Farewell, mother.” I bow before exiting, making my way downstairs and through the hall. I find Guinevere near the stables, brushing my horse’s mane. She looks tired and sadder than last I laid eyes upon her. I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around her waist and take her pain away. She must have sensed mestaring as she twirls around suddenly, staring directly into my eyes, a question in hers.

“Good morning, Lancelot. You look the worse for wear.”

“Pardon?” Guinevere is hard to understand at times; she says the strangest things.

“Oh, maybe that didn’t translate well. Um, you look tired. I hope it’s not a long journey to Camelot. You don’t look like you will make it a day.”

“I will be fine, my lady. I have had less sleep and a longer journey ahead of me. This will only be a week, maybe less if we can keep a steady pace.”

“An entire week?”

Guinevere looks as though she might be sick. “My lady, what is the matter? Have you never traveled such a distance before? You said you came from the north.”

“Um, yes, sure. But where will we be staying for the night? Are there lodgings along the way?”

“There might be one or two places we could go, but they are out of the way. It would be better for us to make camp each night so we arrive in Camelot when Arthur expects us.”

---