The Obscura was a collection of magically enchanted items (pendants, potions, and stones) that Merlin had crafted to help protect me during Arthur's trials. The items in the Obscura would cloak my inner thoughts and intentions, wrapping them in layers of illusion.
I looked at him and nodded. "Yes, I have The Obscura! Gods, you two are like two old, fretting hens."
He frowned at me and then grumbled something unintelligible. It most likely had something to do with an ingrate.
"Arthur grows crueler and more powerful by the day," Merlin said and paused. "You must be very careful."
I started to roll my eyes, but Corvin's irritated expression stopped me. "This is no laughing matter, Guin."
"I don't remember laughing."
"You don't know the king like Merlin and I do," he continued, taking a step closer to me. "You have no idea how cruel Arthur can be."
"And yet he's not to be assassinated." And there it was—the argument we'd already had at least three times in the last two days.
Corvin sighed at me. "You are not an assassin, Guin."
I stared him down. "I could be."
Merlin turned to regard me with a frown. "That is not our way."
"Arthur deserves to be killed," I insisted, throwing my hands on my hips as I glared at both of them. "For everything he's done."
"That is not for you to decide," Corvin answered.
"It should be forusto decide. Because it's the right thing to do!" Then I looked at Merlin—well, at his back. "With Arthur gone,youcould unite the realms. You could bring magic back to the people and stop all this death and destruction. You could become the king the people need!"
Merlin faced me. "I do not care to become king, Guinevere." He paused for a moment. "And I do not want Arthur dead."
That was the part I didn't understand and never had. Why didn't Merlin want the king dead? Was it just some sort of misplaced allegiance on Merlin's part? I didn't know and probably never would because Merlin was a miser with information.
"With you in Camelot, reporting on his actions, you help to protect Annwyn and Logres," he continued. "Without your eyes and ears in Arthur's court, we have no way of knowing his plans."
"Someday, it will come down to you and him," I said, my jaw tight. "And when that day comes, you will have to strike him down."
Merlin sighed, appearing even older. "If and when that time comes, I will face that decision then. Until then, you have your orders, and you understand your mission?"
“Yes.” I almost rolled my eyes.
Merlin's voice lowered, steel threading through his words. “Then you understand just who and what the king is. Arthur is no longer the man I once served. He is infinitely more paranoid, more violent, more dangerous. His court is rotted through with fear. And though he’s outlawed magic, don’t be fooled—he stillwieldsit, in secret, in shadow."
Corvin nodded. "And his magic is strong, Guin.”
Merlin inhaled deeply. "It is unfortunate, but… Arthur has followed in the footsteps of his father."
Uther Pendragon. The infamous king who lost his mind in his final years, consumed by paranoia and magical corruption until he became something monstrous—a tyrant who doomed his own men to horrific deaths. Corvin had told me about it more than once. Apparently, he'd witnessed the whole thing.
"All of which are reasons Arthur should be destroyed."
Merlin looked at me and shook his head. "No. Assassination is the coward's way."
I held his gaze. "It's necessary."
Was it love for the boy Arthur that kept Merlin from wanting Arthur dead? Nostalgia? Did he believe Arthur could change? Or was it fear? Weakness? Maybe Merlin didn't believe I was capable of murdering the king?
I knew I could do it. What was more, Iwantedto do it.
Arthur was the reason my parents were dead. He was the reason I would have followed in their footsteps if not for the fact that my magic had helped me escape. Arthur was the reason my entire life had changed in an instant. And I would forever despise him for it.
