42. Intruder

They rode all day and night in order to get back to Camelot. Arthur urged them to push through as once they were out of the forest they were mostly safe. The ride was quiet as they rode side by side back towards the city. The night came with a chill which quickly permeated through Lucy's thin wear. Missing Arthurs warm arms wrapped around her, Lucy a suppressed a shiver as they began to see the city lights in the distance. She was desperate to return to the warmth and familiarity the castle provided.

Upon their arrival in the city, Lucy was surprised to see so many people still out and about. The closer they got to the castle the more people there were, which began to worry Arthur. It was quite unusual to see this many people crowded around the castle at this late at night. As they got closer and the people became denser, but the crowd automatically began to part like the red sea. They could sense their King had returned. Arthur couldn't help but hear the people whisper.

'It's him. It's the King. King Arthur has returned. Who is the girl? Is she why he left?'

He bowed his head down in shame. His people doubted him and blamed Lucy. It wasn't right. He needed to fix what he had caused.

"Excuse me Lucy, I must meet with the table." Arthur told her with pleading eyes. She smiled at him, leaned in and kissed his cheek and whispered, "go, I will see you later."

"Stay in my chambers tonight?" He asked but it sounded more like a demand. He needed to do this but he also to know that when he crawled into bed late that night she would be there.

Lucy didn't provide him with a response, just a sly smile that left Arthur wondering. He had no time to waste so he let the mystery hang there in the air between them as he walked away.

Lucy settled her stuff back in her room and proceeded to wander the halls in an attempt to reassure herself that with all the changes that was happening that some things stay the same. It was then she realized that at some point the castle had become her rock, her safe place, her home without her ever realizing it had happened. When had she become so attached?

She was so lost in thought that when she turned the corner on her way to the library she almost ran into someone. With a second glance she realized who that someone was, her sister.

"Mary? Is that really you? How did-" Lucy sputtered. She was beyond surprised and struggled to form a coherent thought.

"Ah, there you are. I've been looking for you." Mary smiled innocently.

"What are you doing here?" Lucy asked, still completely baffled.

"Besides waiting for your return, I've come to make a deal." Mary laughed sarcastically.

"Just stop, stop all of this. Why are you doing this?" Lucy shook her head. This had to be some twisted nightmare that she couldn't wake up from. She didn't want to fight. She wanted to help her sister come home.

"Wow Lucy, are you really that clueless? Do you even know the power we possess in our veins? There isn't anything that I can't do. Nobody can stop me." Mary retorted with a shrill laugh.

"Mary you don't know what you are playing with. Not all magick is good and just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should." Lucy tried to reason with her.

"I didn't come for another one of your boring lectures." Mary rolled her eyes.

"Just listen to me, this one time." Lucy pleaded.

"No you listen to me. I'm giving you one chance to step down and let me marry King Arthur. You have a week to get lost and stay out of my way." Mary demanded.

"I can't leave again, and even if I did, Arthur would follow me. He loves me." Lucy argued, yet the moment the words left her mouth they punched her in the chest. He did truly love her and she knew that she loved him so what were they waiting for? Oh wait, that's right, Lucy refused to move on until she saved her sister from her own bad decisions.

"No, he thinks you are his only option. Only I know his true desires." Mary taunted.

"You know nothing." Lucy stood strong. She wasn't afraid anymore. Arthur had fought for her, and she was ready to fight for him.

"One week Lucy, don't make me have to hurt you." Mary threatened in a low voice before backing away and disappearing as quickly as she arrived.

Author's note:

OMG! Sorry for such a short update but I wanted to give you guys something. 100k freaking views as of today!(On wattpad, my main platform) That is amazing, awesome, and mind-blowing!

I am really beside myself and I am excited to keep writing this story and hopefully end it so I can either re-write it or start the next one.

Short story long, I've been considering starting a Facebook page for this book to build a fandom base for it. Is that something you guys would be interested in? If so let me know and I will put it together.

But seriously, you guys are the best and I never would have gotten this far without you.

Much love, Surviving