-GUIN-
I paced my chamber like a caged animal. Three steps. Pivot. Repeat.
My lips still burned from Lance's kiss, the sensation refusing to fade despite the hours that had passed. I touched them again,tracing the outline where his mouth had pressed against mine with such unexpected hunger.
What had I done?
In the corner, the silver bowl waited. I’d delayed reporting to Merlin twice. I couldn’t delay again.
I drew in a steadying breath and approached the bowl with reluctant steps. My fingers trembled slightly as they made contact with the water's surface. The ancient words of summoning felt heavy on my tongue as I spoke them—syllables in the old language that now tasted like lies.
The water's restless movement gradually ceased, transforming into a perfect mirror that reflected the familiar interior of Merlin's workshop deep within Caer Gwyll.
“The Hunt Trial was successful,”I said, my voice steady.“We captured all three creatures. Lancelot praised my skill to Arthur.”
I described the magical creatures in detail, explained our tracking methods, mentioned Lance's battle precognition—everything except the moment when we'd tumbled down that slope together, when my control had slipped, when I'd pulled Lance toward me with a recklessness that still shocked me.
"This positions Lioran well for the next trial," I finished as the water began to swirl, transforming from clear stillness to a miniature whirlpool that pulsed with a blue light.
Slowly, the vortex calmed, and Corvin's face materialized in the liquid mirror, his features sharpening with each passing second. At the sight of him, something within me seemed to break, though I didn't know why.
Even through the watery portal, I could feel the weight of his penetrating gaze.
"Guin," he said in greeting. "Are you well?"
He could always tell when I was upset, even when I tried to hide it. "Yes, I'm fine," I snapped in response. "Where is Merlin?"
"Not here. I believe he's in the garden, trying to find some mugwort."
"What are you doing in his study?"
“Trying to fix the table," Corvin answered with a laugh. "He says it keeps wobbling."
I wished I could partake in his good humor. "Oh, well… can you tell him everything I just said?"
"Yes." He studied me for a moment and then shook his head. "Alright, out with it, what's bothering you?"
"What do you mean?"
He glared at me, his expression hitting me just as it always had, even though we were so far away from one another. "Guin, I always know when you're upset about something, and… you're upset about something."
"I'm not."
"You are."
I blew out a breath. "I just…" I took another breath. "I was just paired with Lancelot for a trial, and it took quite a bit out of me, that's all."
A truth. Filtered.
"And… did he notice anything about you that he shouldn’t have?”
I hesitated, searching for something to tell him that might pull him away from the truth. “He questions my training and my background. And he questions my small stature.”
“But not your identity?”
“No."
Not a lie. Not exactly.
