I pretended as if I could not hear them as they continued and the rest of the onlookers witnessing their quarrel did the same.
My horse, Breac, lipped at my hair. The animal was clearly happy to see me after his extended stay in Cameliard’s stables and I could not help but give the speckled horse a scratch under his chin as the king and queen continued to argue.
“You knew we were sealing our union, Guinevere,” Arthur said, clearly confused by her anger.
“Yes and by sealing I thought you just meant—” she lowered her voice to say something to Arthur before continuing in a way that I could hear again, “not abond.”
“That is what sealing the union between an alpha and omega entails, little queen,” Arthur murmured softly, reaching for her hand only for her to yank it away from him.
Every person watching studiously turned away back to their own tasks as Arthur let out a growl of frustration. “It seems as if you need time to… acclimate to our marriage. Very well, you may ride with Gawain today.”
With that, Arthur turned on his heel and stomped off to get on Llamrei, the great stallion pawing at the gravel beneath his hooves, eager to get on with the promise of a ride.
Guinevere stood by herself amongst the hustle and bustle until Leodegrance came to give her one last embrace.
“Be patient, daughter,” I heard him say to her, cupping her still frowning face in his hands. “You will be a great queen.”
Despite knowing that Guinevere’s place as the man’s daughter was of magical origin, even I could see that the two had seemed to bond over the past week because Guinevere’s shoulders sank slightly as she nodded and said something softly back.
After a few minutes, I heard Leodegrance call my name.
“You will take care of my daughter?” Leodegrance asked as soon as I had joined them, his hand capping my shoulder roughly.
I had avoided looking my new queen in the eyes ever since that first night, likely scared at what I would find in her expression, but the same scent of sweet flowers still seemed to surround her like a cloud. It made my mouth water as I finally glanced up to look her in the face for the first time.
“Hello, your majesty,” I told her with a bow, “My name is Gawain and I will be at your service today.”
Chapter Twelve
“Iknow who you are,” the words slipped out of my mouth before I could catch them.
Leodegrance and the younger man looked at me with surprise.
“Arthur pointed you out to me,” I hurried to say, my face warming as soft blue eyes stared at me.
Where Arthur’s eyes were the blue of the sky—this younger knight’s eyes were like the fresh, deep blue of cornflowers as they shifted between me and my father. Everything about the man seemed soft compared to the other three alphas I had seen the night of my arrival in the past.
“Gawain is one of King Arthur’s most trusted knights,” Leodegrance explained to me, seeming to shake off my odd behavior as he usually did. “He will care for you well, is that not so, Sir Gawain?”
I had to hold back the dry laugh that threatened to erupt out of me and instead pressed a hand to my mouth as if I was holding back a sneeze.
“Of course, your majesty,” Gawain hurried to say, his blue eyes growing big and round once he realized I wasn’t going to help with the king. “I will personally make sure that her majesty is safe and cared for.”
Leodegrance looked the younger alpha up and down, his eyes narrowing as he seemed to be trying to find some fault with Gawain, but the knight stood with a straight spine and as neutral of an expression as he could manage. Finding him unimpeachable, my father sighed.
“My dearest,” he finally said as he turned to pull me into another firm embrace that smelled faintly of lavender—my mother’s favorite scent. Yet another oddity when it came to this man.
The first time Leodegrance had hugged me I couldn’t help but stiffen, unfamiliar with the hug that a father could give, but now I settled easily into it and even wrapped my own arms around him and practically melted into the embrace. It was comforting to have a parent again—even if it was thanks to magic.
“Remember,” he told me softly, his face suddenly serious, “if you have need of me, I will tear this land apart for you.”
I nodded, feeling like I’d swallowed a rock as I pulled away. “Thank you, father.”
The name rolled easily off of my tongue now and I watched him turn to leave with a bittersweet feeling in my chest.
“Your majesty?” Gawain’s voice cut through my sudden melancholy and I remembered that the alpha was still standing next to me, watching the interaction. “Are you ready to leave?”
I glanced back at the castle one last time before nodding. “Yes, though I’ll have you know I’ve never been on a horse before.”
