Page 30 of Enchanted Warrior

“Those are streetlights,” she offered. “I thought Merlin’s spell helped you understand the modern world.”

“Not all at once,” Gawain said. “It takes days. I still do not understand the words to most popular songs, and mathematical reasoning behind cellular plans still eludes me.”

Tamsin laughed. “That’s probably because the phone companies are run by dragons looking to increase their treasure hoard from your pocket.”

Beaumains gave her a look of alarm.

She took the ramp onto the highway and turned the car toward Carlyle. She wasn’t sure what to do with Beaumains. Gawain had been acclimatized by the time he’d arrived on her doorstep, but his brother was another matter. She hadn’t thought about the consequences of acquiring a mob of knights in need of housebreaking. She sincerely hoped Gawain had a plan.

“I am hungry,” Beaumains said, breaking into her thoughts a moment later. “Is there a place to hunt? Or a tavern?”

They were all hungry, Tamsin especially. Spells took huge amounts of energy. She settled on a drive-through and they pulled into a parking lot to devour the greasy, salty food. Beaumains approved of the fries but gave the burger patty a suspicious look. “I am not sure what beast this was.”

“A common question,” Tamsin replied. “It’s better not to think about it too hard.”

Beaumains smiled, showing a slight gap between his front teeth. “It has always been that way, Mistress Greene, with hostels upon the road.”

“I can imagine,” Tamsin said. She’d read about pilgrimages and the booming medieval tourist trade.

The young man chewed and swallowed. “Your kindness and hospitality is beyond question. I am yours to command.”

“I am hers to command,” Gawain frowned. “Find your own lady.”

“Don’t be so sure of yourself,” Beaumains retorted. “You are the only knight of Camelot in her acquaintance. Soon she will see the error of her ways and make a better choice.”

“Hold your tongue, devil,” Gawain growled.

“I am no devil.” Beaumains laughed from the safety of the backseat. “I am younger and far more sweet-tempered than you. Besides, I can cook.”

“That’s a bonus,” Tamsin said, mostly to annoy Gawain.

“Indeed. I spent my first months at Camelot as a kitchen boy.”

“Why did you do that?” Tamsin asked.

“Because all my brothers had left home to become knights and I refused to be left behind. Unfortunately, I had to keep my identity a secret if I did not wish to be sent home. With no noble name behind me, the only position I could get was in the kitchens. I was willing to work, but the other kitchen boys teased me mercilessly, for they could tell I was no peasant’s son. That is how I earned the name Beaumains—pretty hands—unused to hard labor. Then one day Lancelot found me out and made me his squire. By then I could bake a good loaf of bread and roast a chicken to perfection.” Beaumains popped a fry into his mouth. “So you see, mistress, I could be of far more use than this loutish brute.”

Deep in his throat, Gawain made a noise that sounded like an angry wolf. “I said hold your tongue, or I shall see that it ceases to flap so freely.”

“Boys,” Tamsin said in a warning tone.

Beaumains sucked on the straw of his milk shake, already having figured out how to make a rude bubbling noise. However mighty a swordsman he might have become, he was still a little brother.

A wave of nostalgia washed over Tamsin. She missed Stacy, and their little sister, Clary. As they finished their meals, she absently rubbed the tattoo on her wrist and listened to the two brothers argue.

As she’d told Gawain, she needed Merlin’s books to please the Elders if she was going to return home on her own terms. Unfortunately, if Tamsin’s vision was correct, she was going to have to steal the tomes from Mordred, and that put everything in a different light. The mission wasn’t just personal anymore. Even if her own freedom hadn’t been at stake, Merlin’s spells were far too powerful to be left in the Prince of Faery’s hands.

As she gripped the steering wheel again, her fingers trembled. She was afraid, but she was in the company of knights. If she was going to keep up, she was going to have to pick her weapons and show she could fight.

“You workeda spell strong enough that Mordred will certainly have felt it. You can’t remain alone tonight,” Gawain declared in a tone that brooked no argument. “You need protection, and we shall stand guard outside your door.”

They had arrived home a little after midnight. Though the food had done her good, Tamsin was exhausted. So was Beaumains, judging by his yawn. Apparently waking from a centuries-long sleep was hard work.

“I think two big guys loitering in the halls would upset the neighbors,” Tamsin replied, envisioning the cops showing up and trying to arrest the knights, one of whom was still in armor and carrying an enormous sword. Yeah, that would go well. “I have an idea.”

The apartment next door was empty, and locks were no match for her magic. Under ordinary circumstances she’d never commandeer the landlord’s property, but tonight was far from normal. She gathered extra blankets and pillows and put her knights to bed on the carpet of the empty suite. Or at least she managed to settle Beaumains.

“I am forever in your debt,” Gawain said softly as he came through the door to Tamsin’s apartment a few minutes later, closing it behind him. “I cannot tell you what it means to have my brother safely returned to me.”

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