Lancelot stood abruptly. He murmured something to Arthur and left the hall, distracted, brow furrowed.
He was unraveling.
I stood, unable to stop myself, and followed him, blending with the stone as I trailed him through Camelot’s dim corridors. He didn’t hear me. No one ever did.
Weakness hid in plain sight—if you knew where to look. And I did.
I caught up with him just as he stepped into the rose gardens at the rear of Camelot, where the numerous flowers bloomed like a painting. I hid in the shadows as I watched him stand, rubbing his temples, jaw tight. Lost. Haunted.
For a fleeting moment, I almost felt sorry for him. But sympathy wasn't part of my plan; opportunity was.
“Troubled by something, Sir Lancelot?” I stepped from the shadows with deliberate casualness, gauging his reaction carefully.
Startled, he turned to face me, surprise quickly morphing into annoyance. “Kay,” he snapped.
I offered a smile. “Didn’t mean to startle you. Just thought you might welcome a friendly ear.”
His scowl deepened.
“I couldn't help but notice you've been… rather distant,” I added, my voice light. “Ever since you and Lioran returned from the hunt."
There it was. The flicker. Barely a blink—but I saw it.
“I have nothing to discuss with you.”
“Mm.” I let the silence stretch. “Did you not capture all your intended creatures?” A sly smile crept onto my lips as I pressed on. "You would not be the only one. Did you hear that Sir Rowan and Sir Brannoc never returned from the hunt? I daresay the guards are still looking for them. And there were many other knights who failed to capture their quarry."
"We captured all three of our quarry," he snapped.
"Ah, then you should be in quite the festive mood, should you not?"
He turned to glare at me. "I came here to be alone, Kay."
"Very well, I'll leave you to your solitude." I paused. "But first, a line of advice." He turned to face me but didn't say anything, so I continued. “Perhaps you should consider what draws your attention away from Elenora.”
His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. I took a slow step closer, careful not to overplay my hand, but damn me if I didn't want to poke the beast at least enough to make it stir.
“What are you implying?” he asked finally, low and dangerous.
“Oh, nothing. Nothing at all,” I said smoothly. “Just… interesting how our attention can shift."
His eyes narrowed. “What the fuck do you want, Kay?"
That was the real question, wasn’t it?
I straightened. Not too much. Just enough.
“What any knight wants.” I shrugged with a chuckle. “Position. Power. The usual currency.”
I held his gaze. Let him wonder what else I knew.
Then I smiled—wide, empty of warmth.
“Well. Sleep well,SirLancelot.”
I bowed low. He didn’t speak. Just watched me as though he wasn’t sure if I was a threat or a ghost.
Soon, he’d learn I was both.
