Page 47 of The White Enchantress

“Six men. She fought and killed six men? Including Melwas?”

“I have not had the time to investigate the scene. I only counted four bodies; there are two missing. When I got here, Guinevere was still possessed, surrounded by the same white light we had seen in the throne room when Excalibur first burrowed itself inside her.”

“We saw the white light from the road. Though we were making haste as it was, we sped up at the sight of the light. Riding our horses as fast as we could. Following the light like a beacon,” Bedivere reports, approaching me with caution as the rest of the men scout the area. “How is the lady? Did you speak with her?”

“Only for a moment. She is weak but breathing. I believe most of the blood is from the men she slaughtered.”

“Here, try to give her some ale. See if that revives her.” Bedivere hands me his skin, full of the light brown liquid. I hold it up to Guinevere’s mouth, delicately prying her lips apart. Her eyes flutter open as she takes a large gulp of the ale. Taking the skin in her hand, she drinks her fill. “Is that better, my lady?”

“Yes, much better. Thank you, Sir Bedivere. Do you happen to have anything to eat?”

“I will retrieve my pack of rations at once.”

“Sir Gawain, we found a live one!” Kei announces, pulling one of the bastards along through the trees. “He was hiding, fool. Should have run while you had the chance. What shall we do with him?”

“Leave him to me. I will slit his inners open for the crows to snack on.” My anger courses through my body, ready to kill.

“No,” Guinevere whispers, stopping me from pursuing my vengeance. “This man showed me some kindness earlier and was against King Melwas.”

“You think that matters? He still conspired to kidnap you.” I attempt to quiet my anger, not wanting Guinevere to feel any of the rage brewing inside me.

“Yes, he did. But I think King Arthur will want to hear from one of Melwas’ men about what happened tonight. If you kill him, there will be no evidence that Melwas took me by force.”

“The lady speaks wisely, Sir Lancelot,” Bedivere says as he approaches my lady, bearing a sack full of food.

I slump back down, allowing Guinevere to lay her head on my shoulder. Such an act of affection in front of my brothers-in-arms fills my heart to the brim. Still, I worry what they will think of our closeness. Rumors of a love affair between us are the last thing I want.

My thoughts turn back to Guinevere as she accepts a handful of food from Bedivere. Before she can enjoy the sustenance, Gaheris sprints back from the thicker part of the grove, followed by Gawain.

“We found Melwas. He is…dead,” Gaheris reports, out of breath.

Guinevere loses her balance as she stands up too quickly. I catch her and hold her close to my side. Looking up at me with a glimmer of tears in her green eyes, she explains that she needs to see him. “I don’t remember killing him, or any of these men for that matter. I need to know, to see with my own eyes that he is gone.”

I nod and begin to escort her toward where Gaheris appeared from. Gawain stops us with a hand on my shoulder, keeping us from continuing down the path. “It is not a sight easy to behold. Guinevere is already in a weak state. The body of…well…I am afraid she might not handle it well.”

“I will be just fine, Sir Gawain. Show me,” Guinevere says defiantly, pulling herself up to her full height. I nod to Gawain, who then steps aside to let us pass.

Guinevere and I walk close together, her hip against my thigh. I wrap an arm around her, hoping that it is a comfort to her. In response, she rests her head against my shoulder as we make our way through the trees. Gaheris walks ahead. Gawain is behind us. Kei and Bedivere stay by the fire, collecting the bodies and guarding the lone survivor.

Though it is dark, the canopy of the trees shielding the ground from the moonlight above, I can see where the body is sprawled and the tree where Guinevere had been tied to. The ropes, dangling from a branch, singed at the ends. The body, its head and arms, are scattered around the tree. I stop us from walking further and holdGuinevere tight. That is when I notice the large burn mark on his groin. Guinevere’s pale face becomes paler in the dim moonlight.

“He will never touch you again. No one will ever touch you again.”

Guinevere throws herself into my arms at my words, warm tears running down my neck. My heart is full of love for this woman. I only wish I had arrived sooner, killed Melwas before he…I cannot even let myself imagine what he had done to my love. At that moment, I wish for Melwas to return to life so I could kill him myself. My lust for vengeance rages.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” I suggest to Guinevere after she has a bite to eat by the fire. “I brought your pack with me. There is a clean gown inside.”

Offering her my hand, I pull her off the ground. With her hand tucked in mine, Guinevere follows me willingly. We walk to where I left Gringolet, offering some privacy. Not only privacy for Guinevere to change clothing but for us to speak uninterrupted.

As if she read my mind, Guinevere asks, “Won’t the men think it suspicious? You bringing me out into a quiet part of the woods…alone.” The shadow of a smile touches her lips. I cannot help myself but kiss those delicious lips. She pulls back suddenly,her skin growing cold. “Lance, I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I pulled myself away. You can kiss me.”

“What did Melwas...did he…I arrived too late.” My question turns into a statement, knowing the truth of what had happened without Guinevere having to say anything. “I do not deserve a kiss, anything from you for letting this–”

“No, Lance. You did not let this happen. Melwas was a greedy, selfish, power-hungry man. He thought I belonged to him just by willing it so. I am not going to let him ruin my life. He will be forgotten.” Guinevere touches her belly, stepping closer to me. “I don’t know if he…if he finished inside me. Lance, I need you to give me doubt.”

“What are you saying?” Gringolet neighs as if asking the very same question.

“The bruises Melwas gave me, I want you to make them bigger and deeper. I want them to become your bruises. If I end up pregnant, I want the child I bear to be yours. The memories I will have of tonight, I want them to be of you pushing me up against a tree and fucking me until the pain explodes in a euphoric burst of pleasure. Take me, Lance. I’m giving you all of me. If you will have me, with all my damaged parts.”

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