Chapter 12 : in Love and War…
Morgana slammed the door behind her.
"How dared he? In front of the whole court, and Uther! And now that!"
She paced the room as she ranted, whiping the tables and her dresser clean with the back of her hand. Gwen rescued a hand-mirror in extremis.
"My lady? What is it?"
"Idiot! Arrogant prat! I'm going to kill him. He sweet-talks me into his mad sibling schemes, and then…"
"My lady, you love that vase. Please…"
The maid collected the delicate piece of porcelain from her mistress trembling hands, one heartbeat before she smashed it on the floor.
"Calm down, tell me what is the matter."
Morgana hissed, "Arthur! Arthur is the matter. Who else? Who would humiliate me in such a way?!"
"Oh."
Gwen chanced a tiny smile. Morgana's tantrums toward the man came and went like lightning storms in summer. One moment she felt like murdering him, and the next she mooned after the handsome prince. That was nothing new.
The beautiful lady stomped her foot. The vase on the table trembled again. All right, maybe that one would last a little longer…
"You saw what he did, you were there! He pulled rank over me in front of the whole court to see, as if I was some… some trophy for his bedpost!"
Gwen circled the infuriated woman to reach the corner Morgana used for her toilet. The towels near the bath tub were ready. The water was still too hot, but it would be perfect by the time Morgana calmed down enough to remember she had to prepare for the feast.
"What are people going to think? And Uther? Uther will never consent… My God, he was probably horrified! His son and his-"
She shut up abruptly to glare at Gwen.
"What did you hear? Do people gossip already?"
"Oh no, my lady…"
To be honest, Gwen was too happy Arthur had finally acknowledged his attraction to really listen to the cooks, and the guards, and the other maids, and the occasional nobles she came across in the corridors. She remembered elbowing Merlin after he engaged Leon in a bet about how long would it take before the prince antagonized the beautiful ward… Maybe she should have put a penny in that one…
Morgana bit the inner side of her cheek. The physical pain cleared her head a bit though she was still furious with Arthur. Furious and hurt. Why had he done that? He knew they couldn't… Arthur could not be hers, and his behavior had made sure no man in his right mind would dare approach her, if by some miracle she could convince her heart to beat for someone else. That was selfish, and cruel and…
She swallowed back unwanted tears. Not only he played with her feelings, but he had ordered Merlin to shadow her every steps all day long, and Leon to follow Merlin just in case the poor man made a fool of himself. Did he think she needed supervision?
And now, the rat dared tell her she was to escort his uncle for diner. Insufferable, arrogant,…
Morgana clenched her jaw firmly. Two could play this game. If he wanted to torture her, she would make sure she would not be the only one to suffer.
"I'll wear my red dress, Gwen. The one with the golden leaf belt."
"My lady?"
Maybe the sleeveless dress was a little light for the late season. She snapped, "You heard me."
"Yes my lady; I'll have it ready."
The water rushed around Morgana's lithe body when she entered the tub. The fitting satin had every male salivate after her like hound dogs. And the prince was not better. She smirked. Arthur deserved to be reminded he had no claim over her. Her heart squeezed at the thought. She dismissed it, slipping backward in the tub to rinse her hair. She intended to enjoy every minute of that feast. What other choice did she have?
Agravaine was even creepier after a couple of drinks. His hair, that he tried to wear sleeked back, dripped before his face in greasy strands. He leaned too close to talk to her, and occasionally brushed his hand on her bare upper arm.
After his fourth attempt, she had sent Gwen to her chambers for her ermine, and draped the thick fur around her shoulders and chest. It spoiled the effect of the dress, but at least the man could not grope her any longer. Or so she thought until she felt fingers touching her knee under the table.
Morgana pushed away with the most irate hiss she could muster without alerting the whole room. Her glare met with eyes as dark as they were lecherous. The man had no restraint! She cast a glimpse around the table. Uther was in deep conversation with his peers. Arthur focused his scowl on his cup. His face was grim enough to sour wine.
The jerk hadn't muttered a word or even look at her since paying his respects. His jaw was clenched so hard when he watched her move away she would have sworn she had heard his teeth gritting. So much for leaving him panting. Morgana sighed. The evening was a complete disaster.
"As beautiful as your mother, you are…"
Alcohol had the ruffian's tongue slur. Everything about him was disturbing. The venturous hand squeezed her knee again. Morgana jolted in surprise and stood, quickly jumping out of reach.
"My lord!"
All eyes turned toward her, Arthur's including. He looked just as inebriated as his uncle. She lowered her gaze coyly.
"I… I'm very tired and I fear I'm not of company tonight. I will retire if your highnesses allow me…"
Uther gave a short nod. Caerleon and the queen smiled. For a second, she thought Annis was murmuring an apology for bringing the wolf to their table.
"I'll escort you to your rooms."
Arthur crowded her space. Her heart raced a little faster. Couldn't he let her be, just for a day? What would people think if… Anger colored her cheeks, but she kept her voice even.
"It won't be necessary, my prince. Don't trouble yourself."
"I insist."
He grabbed her elbow before she could protest further, nearly tugging her out of the room. Conversation buzzed quietly again even before the door close on them. Morgana pulled her arm free, starting down the corridor without waiting. Arthur fell into steps with her easily. She thought very hard about using her high heels on his foot. She hissed, "I'm not a bitch you need to keep on a tight leash, my lord."
"Stop that, Morgana. What did he do?"
Unsettled by his growl, she stopped to face him. His blue eyes were heavy, but he didn't sound drunk. If anything, he looked hurt and angry. Both emotions she knew very well. Morgana crossed her arms under her chest with a defiant stare.
"He acted as any healthy male would around me: forward."
Arthur' scowl deepened at the attack on his manhood.
"That's what you get for parading your charms like a… like that. I tried to protect you earlier but of course you had to-"
"Liar!"
Her gaze seethed with fury.
"You didn't even know that worm was there! You… You…"
Ire forbad any coherent speech. A tired servant hurried by them with candles for the guests rooms. Arthur grabbed her again to push her inside her own chambers. Three strides took him to the backdoor that he locked in turn.
"Gwen can use the front door, I won't gamble with your safety."
"Arthur!"
The crash on the floor finally got his attention. He smirked.
"Morgana, you loved that vase."
"I don't care! Stop acting like a caveman! Just answer my questions! Why-"
"He killed you."
The prince slopped in a chair. Instantly deflated, Morgana knelt on the floor next to him, her ermine slipping down her arms. She touched his hand gently, inviting him to open up. Arthur gripped her fingers into his.
"It happened before. He pretended to be our friend, but he betrayed us both. He sat at my council, playing me with fatherly smiles and false advices while spying for you. But he was plotting against you too, and when you failed to take Camelot…"
Morgana shivered. Arthur stood, helping her up and guiding her toward the bed. She refused the shawl he wanted to put on her shoulders. She murmured, "So Agravaine killed me?"
"Yes. But that's not all. I had another nightmare."
"Tell me."
She tried not to panic while he explained about confused images of a shadowy Annis pulling her in stony corridors. Morgana smiled despite her fear.
"And you thought that putting on such a show in front of the whole Court is going to prevent that?"
"I wanted them to know that you're under my protection."
He did what he could to protect her, whatever ridiculous or possessive it was. That was why she loved him so much. Morgana silenced the sneering voice in her head saying she was the king ward, and under Uther Pendragon's protection. Uther would ask his men to go if his ward was kidnapped. But the same men would follow Arthur to Hell and back without him asking. Morgana leaned on him to kiss his cheek, all resentment gone.
"My champion."
Arthur embraced her.
They held each other in silence for a moment, savoring the peace. Finally, she sighed, "I liked that vase. You have to buy me another one."
"What need did you have to break it? You could have just-"
"Arthur."
Morgana pressed her hand to his mouth. Arthur grinned under her gag. Morgana tried to keep a stern face.
"You'll buy me a new vase."
He nodded, still grinning.
"And flowers to put in it."
Another nod.
"And you will take me to the Harvest Festival."
He shifted his weight slightly on the bed, but nodded.
This was too easy. She frowned in concentration. Before she could formulate another demand, Arthur launched a tickling assault on her sides. Morgana squealed. She tried to escape but he had trapped her between his chest and the head of the bed. Laughing and panting, she writhed on the pillows, finally freeing herself.
Breathing hard, she turned to face her tormentor. His blue eyes had darkened and followed her moves like a hunter a prey. Morgana swallowed. She half-expected him to pounce back on her for another attack. Instead, Arthur closed the distance between them slowly, never releasing her gaze. Fascinated by the cobalt sparks flaring in his eyes, she threw right and wrong to the wind and met him halfway.
The kiss was everything she had always wanted it to be: patient and demanding, sweet and hot. His tongue molded against hers, stealing every nerve in her body. Her blood raced under her skin as he caressed her hair, ruining her hairdo. Her bones melted so that she had to lean back, taking her with him. When Arthur finally allowed her to breathe, air felt cold and unwelcome.
He straightened up.
"I… I have to go."
She wished he stayed. She knew he couldn't. Morgana forced her swollen lips to smile despite the chill.
"You still own me a vase. And flowers…"
Arthur winked and escaped before she remembered his promise to take her to the festival.