Page 87 of Propriety
The chairs had been all but removed, with two long tables lining the walls. The tables were decorated with flowers and fruits, filled with abundance.
As Guinevere walked the length of the Hall, she tried to scan the faces around her, without lapsing in her stature.
She couldn’t see him.
Once she reached Arthur, he grasped her by the shoulders, kissing her gently on both cheeks. “You will behave tonight.” He whispered, his voice low — for her ears only.
Gwen gave a slight nod, taking her place at his side with a practiced smile.
“Thank you, Camelot, for joining us tonight.” His smile was wide, his stance welcoming.
He played his role so well.
“On this eve, we celebrate the lives of three of Camelot’s finest men. Three men that ventured out of the safety of our kingdom in search of something grand, somethingholy.” There was a ripple of conversation across the room.
“These men laid eyes on the Holy Grail and returned to tell the tale. Let us welcome them tonight.”
The room erupted into applause as the far doors opened. Percival, Gawain, and Lancelot entered, dressed in their finest Camelot tabards, swords at their sides. They entered in time.
Only Lancelot’s face showed any emotion.
His lip ticked up slightly as his eyes met the queen’s.
“Welcome, Sir Percival, Sir Gawain, and Sir Lancelot.” Arthurboomed as the knights took a knee before the royal couple.
“You have brought honor to Camelot, to your king, to your names. Secured yourselves lifelong seats at my Round Table. Achieved a feat no man has achieved since Joseph of Arimathea himself caught the blood of Christ.”
Guinevere could hear the tightness in the king’s voice, the disappointment that he, himself, did not have the Grail in his sights.
“Eat, my friends. Drink and be merry. You have more than earned it.”
A fire flashed briefly in the king’s eyes… a sight that settled like a stone in the queen’s stomach.
It was with the boisterous music and the distraction of the dance that her husband leaned over to her and finally spoke. “I chose a dress for you, Guinevere. Demanded that your maidens pull your erratic and disorderly hair up and out of the way.” He pinched her chin beneath his fingers, turning her to face him. “Why do you bear none of these things before me tonight?”
“Have I no autonomy, Arthur?” She narrowed her eyes at him, breathing slowly and deep through her nose, doing her best to keep herself level.
“No, wife, you do not. Had you wanted independence, you should have convinced King Leodogran not to marry you off.” He pulled her close enough that she could feel the heat of his breath. “Next time I delineate something for you, you will follow my orders or your maidens will be punished.”
Her eyes widened at the threat, and he grinned. “There she is, my quiet and obedient wife.” He pressed his lips to hers. “See that you do not cross me again.”
34
Guinevere stayed by Arthur’s side through the night, sipping on her wine. She hadn’t attempted to eat anything, certain that it would come right back up.
After dinner had been served, a small band of musicians took up their place in the room’s corner, filling the air with the sounds of lutes, lyres, and harps.
Many of the guests took to dancing. The sizable area between the tables was the perfect space for this.
Lancelot caught her eyes with a gentle scowl. She had been avoiding him since the evening began, knowing that even a half-grin more from him would set her bones to fire.As he did, a woman approached him, dressed in bright colors, with hair the color of the noon sun.
Guinevere couldn’t overhear what she asked him, but a jealous pit in her stomach appeared when he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
She didn’t own him.
He didn’t owe her monogamy.
And yet… less than a day ago he had been whispering deliciously filthy things in her ear.
