"Much better." she answered. "I didn't think I was going to make it for a while. Then I'd hear your voice calling out. I knew I was hallucinating."
"But you weren't. I called out often hoping you'd be able to respond."
"Do I remember right? Did you kill him?"
"Yes, I did." he told her honestly. "Does that bother you."
"No. Maybe it should, but it doesn't." They stared at each other for several more moments and Lancelot shifted uncomfortably.
"I must get up."
"Why?"
"Kassidy, it was difficult to lay touching you when your body was so chilled, but now I find it even more so." he tried to tell her.
It took her a moment but she got it. "Oh." Instead of letting him up she leaned in and kissed him. He was surprised but started kissing her back within seconds. She groaned as everything in her belly tugged downward and she felt herself and him becoming aroused. Kass reached down and clasped him in her hand enjoying the weight and feel of him. He gasped as she touched him, and his arms snaked around her body pulling her closer. "I want you Lancelot. Now."
All he could was nod to her. She bit his neck and he nearly came, but managed to control himself. Kass pushed him onto his back and moved her body against his. Without waiting she positioned herself over him and guided him into her warm sheath. She slid down his length and he moaned at the pleasure it brought. Kass straddled him and began riding him, and Lancelot helped her with his hands on her hips. He watched her breasts as they moved above him, watched her mouth and she bit her bottom lip softly, and watched her jade eyes half closed in ecstasy. He moved one hand up to her breasts and caressed one of her nipples lightly. She did something inside to make everything tighter. Then she leaned back. Never had he had a woman riding atop him. The experience was new as he was used to doing all the work, and he sat up pulling her back against his chest. She still straddled him now in a sitting position and still he moved in and out of her velvet warmth. He ran his hands over her back, and their mouths merged. Her full breasts rubbed up and down his chest causing pleasing friction for both of them. She came and her muscles clenching with her climax drove him over the edge with her. They sat locked together, panting, for several moments. He laid kisses upon her cheeks and neck.
"I hear horses." she whispered.
Frowning, Lancelot stood and headed to the doorway. He felt her staring at his backside appreciatively. "It is the others." He told her and moved to put on his clothes. She found her clothing where he'd put it to dry, and dressed quickly. Lancelot wrapped the blankets around her and swung her up and into his arms. He left the building to meet his friends, who had few questions considering the dead body which lay in front of them. She rode the entire way cradled in his arms.
When they got to the Keep Lancelot took her directly to her chambers where Brianna and Brandon waited for her impatiently. As soon as he placed her on the bed they practically jumped her. "We were so worried." Bri whispered fiercely.
"I'm fine." she assured them. "Let me look at you. There were no lasting effects of the drug?"
"No." Brandon answered from where he sat on her side with his arms around her waist. "Should have seen Galahad freaking out when Bri wouldn't wake up though."
Kass watched Bri blush fiercely. "I'm so glad you're both all right."
"Are you coming to dinner in the tavern this evening?" Bri asked. "I believe the men will be meeting at the Round Table, but they might come in after."
"No." Kass told her sister with a false smile. Luckily, Bri didn't seem to see through it. "No. I am very tired. I think I will rest here."
"Do you want me to stay?" Bri asked.
"No. You go."
"I'll ask Vanora to bring you something to eat." the girl bounced with happiness and left the room.
Kass sat quietly. What would happen now? She shouldn't have slept with him. He effected her too much. Lancelot was not a man to settle with one woman. There was nothing wrong with that, as long as you knew it going in. She'd known, she'd just ignored. It had seemed so different though. It had been like nothing she'd ever experienced with Rob.
There was a light knocking on the door, and the serving girl who'd brought them the drugged food entered. "Oh goodness! You must hate me so." the girl looked unhappy.
"No. You couldn't have known the food was drugged." Kass assured her.
"Well, I've brought you some nice warm supper." the girl said with a smile.
"Thank you."
"Do you need anything else?" the girl asked.
"No, thank you, this'll be fine."
"Well, I'm sorry to rush, but Sir Lancelot has asked that I meet him at his chambers." the girl flushed prettily. "It's been weeks since I've been in his bed, and I think he's missed me some. He said so."
Kass's heart dropped, but her expression didn't change. "Well, go, enjoy yourself."
"With a man as talented as that it'll be hard not to." the girl giggled again and left the room.
Kass stood and went to the window. She replayed the woman's words in her mind. So much for the meeting at the Round Table. Well, she'd done it to herself, but it wasn't as if she loved the man. So she'd move past this crush or whatever it was she felt. Tomorrow she'd go back to lazy kisses with Gawain.
The men sat at the Round Table for hours. Arthur was working on politics, and felt his knights should be present. Supper was brought in to them, and by the time they were done speaking the men were exhausted. He had almost reached his chambers when Stella, one of the serving wenches stopped him. "Would you be liking some company this evening Sir Lancelot?"
The wench was one that he hadn't bedded yet, but had considered. Before Kass had come. "Nay Stella, I am quite tired. I wish to go to sleep."
"Perhaps a back rub then?"
"To be honest lass, I do not believe that you and I will know each other in that manner."
The woman looked angry for a moment but then shoved her chin in the air and walked away. Lancelot went into his chambers and fell deeply asleep.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, and Kass headed out with Bri and Bran to walk through the market. Gawain caught up with them and they walked together laughing. He extended his arm and she placed her hand in the crook. She'd just laughed at something he said when Bri and Brandon ran off to look somewhere else. "Those two." she sighed.
"Perhaps you'd like to head back?"
"Yes please."
"So have you taken up with Lancelot then?" he asked conversationally.
"No." she answered quietly. She didn't elaborate, but Gawain could tell something was wrong. "No, I'm afraid Lancelot is a man who enjoys women too much for my taste."
"Really?" he inquired.
"I spent the night with him Gawain." she said. Her voice caught slightly. "And then last night he was bedding kitchen wenches again."
This seemed odd. "What do you mean?"
"The blonde girl, Shelly, or kelly."
"Stella?"
"Yeah, that's the one. Came and told me he'd asked her to stay with him when your meetings were done."
"Lass…"
"No! I don't want to hear it. Don't make excuses. I mean it's fine. It's who he is. I shouldn't and can't expect anything else."
Gawain held her face cupped in his hands. "Ah, lass." he leaned in and kissed her mouth softly knowing it would be the last time he'd do so.
All of the sudden there was a roar, and Kass screamed as Lancelot threw Gawain to the ground with a punch. "Get up." he growled.
"Stop it!" she yelled, going to Gawain. "What are you doing? Are you crazy?"
"What am I doing?" he looked at her as if she was the one losing her mind. "I find you kissing him. After what we shared he had his hands on you!"
Kass felt the blood pounding in her head. "Oh? Like it meant anything to you?" she stepped forward and pushed him. "How were your meetings last night Lancelot?"
"What are you talking about?" he said angrily.
"The meetings you had. The meetings with 'Arthur'?" the way she said the name made it sound obscene. "I already know Lancelot! I already know that you slept with that woman last night."
Now he was confused. What was the woman going on about?
"So yes, I was stupid for sleeping with you, and it was my fault. I should have known you couldn't keep your pants on. And really we had no promises between us, so it isn't like I have a right to be angry. But don't you dare come here and act as if Gawain kissing me is wrong, while you're off tupping the kitchen help whenever you mother-fucking please!" she ended the statement on a yell, and stormed back to her chambers.
Lancelot watched her go, as Gawain got to his feet. "What…"
"She's under the impression that you bedded Stella last evening." Gawain told him cheerfully as he rubbed his jaw.
"But I didn't."
"You don't have to tell me Lancelot. I saw you head to your chambers exhausted." Gawain was amused by the look on his friend's face, and forgave him the punch. "It seems that Stella led our Kassidy to believe you requested her presence."
Understanding dawned on Lancelot, and it angered him. Not at Kass. He understood that Kass didn't have a trusting nature, and really who could blame the woman. No, he was angry at the game that the wench was playing.
Kass sat in her room crying. She didn't know if it was heartache, anger, or a little of both. She jumped startled from her bed when her door slammed open and Stella was shoved through the door. Lancelot, Gawain, and Vanora followed. "Well, why doesn't everyone just come on in?" she said sarcastically.
"Quiet!" Lancelot snapped.
Kass's mouth closed in shock. Vanora pushed Stella. "Tell her!" Vanora demanded.
The girl's eyes shifted slyly. "But I don't know what you're talking about?"
Vanora slapped the girl, and Kass gasped. "We don't take to liars around here. You tell the truth or so help me god I'll take ya to the king!"
"I didn't sleep with the knight last night." the girl's voice was hard with hate.
"Why'd you lie?" Kass asked, thoroughly confused.
"Like we all ain't been able to see his eyes following you wherever you go. We knew he wouldn't stay with us for long, not with you in his sights."
"But he was with you once. He might go back to you."
"Tell her the rest." Lancelot's voice was so cold it obviously frightened the girl.
"I ain't never lain with the knight." the girl said grudgingly.
"You seemed so sincere. Apologizing for the drugging…" Kass felt shame. She'd been cruel because of what this girl had said. She looked at the girl and saw something in her eyes. "You hate me. Did he pay you to drug me?"
The girl looked guilty, and in that instant Kass knew that she was right. The woman had been paid to drug the Kellers. She felt threatened and so she'd done it. Both Gawain and Lancelot had drawn their swords and Vanora was screaming for Arthur. Without warning she jumped on the girl and started slapping her.
Arthur and Guinevere weren't far away apparently. Kass was pulling Vanora off the woman, who cowered on the floor, while the men looked as if they would like to slice her apart.
Arthur called for silence. "What is the meaning of this?"
"It seems that Stella knowingly drugged Kassidy, Brianna, and Brandon with the sleeping powder. Pelagus paid her to do so. Besides that she just likes to spread lies." Gawain explained as he sheathed his sword.
Arthur's face turned stony. Guinevere looked at the woman with disdain. "You are banished from our lands Stella. You have no place here, as there will never be a place for those who would cross the king." Guinevere spoke with authority.
"You have until the sun sets to leave this place." Arthur continued. The girl ran from the room with tears streaming down her face. Arthur's voice turned soft as he looked at Kassidy who seemed dazed. "My apologies that one of my people could do such ill to you Lady Kass."
"No. No. I don't blame you." Kass cleared her throat. "I don't blame anyone. Could I have a few moments alone please?"
Everyone left the room save Lancelot who stood and stared at her with emotions churning in his eyes.
"I'm sorry." she sighed. "I was horrible to you, and I'm sorry."
"You believed a woman you've seen me flirt with. My reputation is not one of purity and chastity." he spoke softly. "You underestimate yourself Kassidy. If it is Gawain you feel safe with. If Gawain is the one you desire to be with, then by all means be with Gawain. I will take our night away with me and remember it always." He turned and walked to the door.
"No." she said. He stopped and stayed where he was. "No Lancelot. It isn't Gawain I want."
Lancelot turned to her. The room between them. "Then what is it you do want Kassidy?"
"I want you Lancelot. I don't know if whatever this is would work between us. Or last. But I know that I want you. What we had the other night, for me at least, was like nothing I've ever had."
"Nor I." he admitted. "I am a lover of women, but never have I wanted to hold a woman as I want to hold you now."
Kass watched him and walked towards him slowly. She stood up on tiptoe and kissed him softly.
Outside the door Bri almost giggled and then pulled Galahad away with her. "I think they're kissing. That's so romantic. He's probably crushing her in his powerful arms." the girl sighed.
Galahad was looking at her oddly.
"What…" she began and didn't get to finish. His mouth was on hers and hers opened in surprise. Galahad met her tongue tentatively with his. Bri had been kissed before but never had it been like this. She felt as if her entire body was tingling. He finally pulled away, and looked down at her. "Wow." she said, and then pulled him back for more.
