This is a quick chapter for all you lovely reviewers. There's a question at the end I need answering before I continue...
"This is absolutely preposterous." King Uther scoffs and I struggle not to roll my eyes.
For some reason, I feel like saying I told you so. Can't imagine why.
"I checked on Arthur myself. He's fine and merely resting." Uther continues, making me snort a little. Luckily I cover it with a little cough and which is ignored.
Gaius stands humbly before the King on his throne (at this hour, the ego maniac). A handful of Knights surround us, summoned to the hall by the Uther to hear of this important news concerning the creatures.
It did not go down well when we told him his son is one of them.
Well actually, I tell a lie. They laughed. Then they laughed some more. Then Uther got annoyed when brave Gaius wouldn't back down.
Then he brought me into it.
"Merlin has seen his eyes change twice. Then there was his reaction to garlic. Vampires cannot stand it. And his personality has become..." he struggled to find the right words. Who wouldn't? "Um, shall we say, rambunctious."
Uther's eyebrows raise and he suddenly looks extremely fearsome.
"You base these wild accusations against your Crowned Prince on the words of a servant?" He stands up, hands clenched by his side. "Gaius, you should know better."
I step forward feeling outraged but Gaius grasps my arm in a vice-like manner before I can even open my mouth.
Gaius bows his head with a calmness I find both infuriating and admirable. "If you would only come and see for yourself. These creatures carry venom and the Prince-"
"I'll hear of it no more."
He changed his tune. When Gaius had first told him about the creatures he was very interested, from a military point of view of course. Now because we mentioned his son...
"Wise words Father, as you can see, I'm feeling much better." We all turn and face the main doors. We were so focused on our pitiful argument that we didn't hear Arthur enter.
He moves gracefully towards his Father, bowing his head of golden hair respectfully. Too gracefully. Too familiar... Where's that usual swagger? Yet I don't feel the overwhelming presence from before which is a blessing. Maybe he is fine.
Gaius clearly doesn't think so.
"How's your neck sire? Has it healed completely now?"
I remember that we didn't reapply the bandage after the garlic incident and my eyes swivel to that specific place on his neck. And my breath hitches.
I think he's wearing my scarf.
He's tucked it neatly into his shirt so the frayed edges look less conspicuous but I'm pretty sure that it's mine.
How did that happen? True I've been wearing my blue one that I'm less fond of lately. I try to remember the last time I saw old lucky red. I wasn't wearing it in the forest. I left it on the floor of my room. It was due for a wash... This takes creepy to a whole new level.
"Well you're a very good physician Gaius don't be so modest." He thumps us both on the back, a little harder than is necessary. "And it was hardly life threatening anyway."
My mouth opens once more but I manage to remain silent. How can he even say that? How can he say that when the memory of his warm blood on my hands is so vivid in my mind? A few of the Knights exchange uncertain glances too. How can Uther fail to notice?
"There you see Gaius, no need to worry at all." Uther sounds more relaxed now, completely oblivious.
"Yeah no need to worry at all." Arthur agrees too enthusiastically. I can't look at him - I won't. I push my metal shields up with force and sway on my feet. He is different, he's just better at hiding it.
Then he continues. "It's not as if I was attacked by magic or anything."
He emphasises it strangely, in a way I don't like.
"Heaven forbid." Uther agrees solemnly.
"You've forced out all traces of magic after all Father." He thumps me on the back once more and I freeze with fear, feeling as though I am caught in a downpour. My skin crawls as I am gripped by the certainty that he knows. He actually knows I have magic. And he's telling me he's perfectly capable of letting Uther find out.
I exchange a horrified look with Gaius.
It's not just me who would be punished for this. Gaius has known all along and it would be hard enough to deny it.
Luckily the King remains in the dark. For now.
Please, please, please don't tell him. I know you know. We both know you do so stop pretending. Don't cause any harm to fall on Gaius. You're my friend, you don't want this so fight it Arthur. Please. For me Arthur, if you're still in there. Just don't.
I try to send this to the smirking Prince behind me with my mind. I have no idea of how much he hears, but I pray it's enough. Enough to appeal to the kind, decent man I once knew. Why would he do this? He thinks I'm 'fascinating'. I'm still his best friend no matter what. I tried to help him with the garlic too though it backfired a little. At least I stopped Gaius from putting it on his skin. That would have been agonising. I helped him so why? I realise that it is ridiculous to feel hurt by this replacement's actions. For that is what he is. He's not my Arthur. Not at all. He would never be so cruel.
The air is thick with tension and I can practically hear the cogs in his mind turning in this silence. But then he says, after a lifetime of waiting: "Well maybe I shall take my leave and rest Father."
He moves back towards his throne, looking more visibly relaxed. "Of course, I'm just sorry you were disturbed by this foolishness at all."
"They just said it because they care." He replies in a surprisingly gentle voice that makes my heart beat quicken in hope. But then he adds, "I'm sure they won't dare interfere anymore."
I can feel his emotions change colour and darken monstrously as he strides out of the room. It's another reference to my powers. He's telling us to back off or he'll tell.
He will tell and I will die.
Dreams...
I seem to sleep more since It attacked me. The memory of the incident is hazy already. So are other things. Like when Merlin checked on me. He says: "Are you alright... Should I get Gaius?" Then he says my name as he gently touches my shoulder in concern then I...
Then I what? It's a blank. I block it out. The emotions are too frighteningly powerful, too hateful, too erotic, too confusing.
Too hungry.
I sleep more because I'm changing. I forget more because I want to. It's too horrific. It's a fight that I am losing. I'm losing control.
Then there's the voice as I sleep. She calls to me from my window ledge. Even though she speaks in my dreams, I know she is really there. I can feel her. She's like me. She made me.
"Give in to the change." She whispers, and it seems like the easiest thing in the world. Something that I want more than anything. Almost more than anything, no, anyone.
"You want the boy." The voice is filled with a false sadness, fake sympathy, taunting me. I do not care. I know who she's talking about and she's right. Every nerve in me pulses with a desire at this vague reference, a constant loneliness. I can't bear it. "How confusing for you. But he's so very different." She concedes in a voice that is a sensual purr that speaks so much sense. I listen because it's true. She's telling me what I want to hear.
"Go to him. Take him if you wish, turn him if you prefer. He will be a powerful ally..."
Yes..."The hunger is so strong when he's around - you poor thing. He makes you weak." He always has. I feel the pain of the hunger now. It is so true, so so true. I ache inside. Two separate hungers, one clear solution.
"It is his fault. He taunts you."
Is that true? I took his scarf.
"Of course it is true. We are kin. Do not be weak. Do what you need to do to become stronger."
I want to. I want to so badly.
"Join us. Do anything you want. Take him."
Merlin.
I speak his name and then I wake...
I would like your advice on whether I should up the rating. That would give me an indicator of how far you want this to go if you know what I mean. Feed back would be very much appreciated.
