The thought of my baby growing within her old and rotting womb sickened me. "I would rather die than give you access to the throne or give you my child."
She glared at me. "Then the dragon remains your burden, foolish king."
"And the white-haired woman?"
She turned to face me. "That offer still stands."
I clenched my fists, the thought of being with the vile creature causing me all sorts of unrest. “Tell me where she is first,” I said through gritted teeth. “Prove you're not deceiving me.”
Her laughter shattered the air like glass as she approached me once more.
“Oh, you clever boy.” Her nail traced down my jaw, leaving behind a line of pain that tingled in the cold. “But truth is not freely given.Neverfreely.”
She turned, shuffling to her cluttered table. Her gnarled hand plunged into a bowl of murky liquid, stirring it slowly. Then, with a flick of her fingers, she cast droplets into the brazier.
The flames exploded upward—unnatural, bright blue.
Within them, a face appeared.
Herface.
White hair framing a face of which I’d never seen an equal. Skin pale as starlight. Eyes the color of violets.
I stepped closer despite myself.
Not just beautiful.Otherworldly.
Our treasure!
“Yes, yes,that’sher.” I took a breath, sharp and shaking. “Tell me who she is.Give me her name!”
Blodeuwyn leaned in close, her breath thick with mushrooms and damp earth. “Her name?”
“Yes! I want her name!”
“Guinevere,” she whispered.
Guinevere.
I repeated it aloud, savoring the sound. It was beautiful. Fitting. As if the name had always belonged to her—even before I knew it.
Our Guinevere. Our treasure.
The witch’s hand slid down to rest over my heart. “But knowing her name isn’t enough, is it, Arthur Pendragon? You want more. You want tofindher.”
“Yes,” I breathed. “I must know where she is.”
Blodeuwyn laughed, low and gloating. “That knowledge… requires full payment.”
I staggered back, heart pounding, eyes flicking toward the place where the door had been. It was restored. My last chance to leave this cursed place with my pride intact.
She will take far more from you than your pride,I thought to myself.
But if I walked through that door now, I would never know. I would never find her. I would nevertouchher. I would never claim her.
“Run home, little king,” Blodeuwyn cooed behind me.
I turned back.
