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Chapter 10

She paused before the door to gather her courage. It was easy to be confident as she schemed in her bedroom, it was another to be confident in the face of her rejecter. Did he think her wanton (this dress would certainly add to that opinion)? Was that the reason he said there was nothing between them? Was he shocked by her behavior? The thoughts of insecurity kept coming until she shook her head.

No. There was something between them. And it was more than lust. He would see sense, see that what they had, what they shared was special. She would not be dismissed so easily.

Straightening her shoulders and standing tall, she swept into the Great Hall. Immediately, she noticed Merlin to the side of the large table. His eyes were fixed on the ground but she saw him visibly stiffen. Good.

Arthur came towards her, a frown marring his features, "What are you wearing, Morgana?" he said.

"I thought even someone as oblivious as you could identify a dress," she said cheekily.

"Yes, I know it's a dress. Why are you wearing one that's so…"he trailed off as he gestured to the amount of skin visible.

"Flattering?" she replied with a smile.

"Revealing. Gwen always looks lovely and she never wears anything so outrageous," he said, seemly uncomfortable with how much he had revealed. Particularly as Gwen had just entered behind her.

"Maybe she should borrow it then," Morgana replied with a smile. She saw Arthur's eyes heat as he looked at Gwen. He likely was imaging her in that gown…and it wasn't quite so offensive.

As she walked slowly to her seat, she felt the heat of Merlin's gaze on her. So, he had noticed the gown. When her eyes shifted to look at him, he quickly looked down.

Unfortunately for him, his position as Arthur's manservant required him to stand several feet behind Arthur during the entire meal. And as Morgana was seated directly across from the prince, she was able to stare at Merlin all she liked.

As the meal began, it wasn't that different from their usual dinners. She often snuck glances at Merlin. Only tonight, she wasn't being quite so stealthy. In fact, she was downright blatant.

Her eyes lazily assessed his form from the top of his dark head to the tips of well-worn boots. He really had quite a nice shape. While he was tall, he wasn't gangly. It wasn't difficult to imagine herself pressed up against his work crafted chest.

She saw him shift uncomfortably, the weight of her perusal affecting him. Good, it appeared he wasn't quite so immune.

Arthur noticed the direction of her gaze; she could feel his disapproval from across the table. Ignoring him, she choose to settle her gaze on Merlin's lips. There was something infinitely fascinating about his mouth. Rosy and full, his lips were lush and in their very brief kiss, gentle. And she wanted more of his kisses. Many wanted his mouth on her body, on her skin again.

Why had their kiss been so fleeting? Why wouldn't he kiss her again? Why would he deny her such a treat? Why would he deny himself? Although he really had yet to physically touch her. There was certainly lots of sweet territory to be explored through clothing, but his refusal to even touch her-hold her hand, kiss her lips-was peculiar. Was he afraid that he would lose control? Given his reaction to their chaste kiss, maybe he was.

But she wanted him out of control. She wanted him without the restraint of whatever was holding him back. She could see the toll it was taking, over the past couple of days and the past few years. And she wanted to be the one to unburden him.

Back to the plan at hand, she delighted at the food placed in front of her. While she was normally a rather quiet and quick eater, she took the time to relish every bite. And relish it vocally. Looking at Merlin, she bit into a delicious strawberry from her plate and let out a low moan. Anyone else in the room would mistake her moan for culinary pleasure but Merlin's widened eyes were evidence that he understood exactly what she was trying to do.

She continued to eat her meal hoping that her delicious sounds would further remind him of their earlier pleasure. But he wasn't the only one suffering. While she had set out to tease him and force him to come to terms with their mutual attraction, she found herself aroused by his gaze. He tried not to return her lecherous stare but after several more "mmm"s his eyes were constantly on her. This was what she wanted, right?

His stare felt like a caress and her body reacted with same fervor. Looking down, she realized that her nipples were straining against the fabric of her dress. And from the way Merlin's eyes kept drifting downwards, he noticed, too. He stiffened and lowered his gaze but the tell-tale flush on his cheeks was a dead giveaway.

Suddenly Arthur cleared his throat rather loudly. She snapped her gaze from Merlin to the man directly seated across from her, "Something in your throat, Arthur?" she said tartly.

"No, nothing at all," he said, disapproval stamped on his face "You're rather quiet tonight, Morgana."

"Yes, you have been rather quiet this evening," Uther added from his seat at the head of the table.

She turned to her guardian and tried to put on a nice face. It wasn't that she didn't like Uther. With all his failings as a king, he had treated and loved her like a daughter. But it was in moments like these that she felt like a doll at a tea party. For Uther, she was to dress up, act appropriately, and above all, be silent. She knew that her life had a great many advantages because of Uther's influence, but often she felt like he never understood her. And likely never would.

So she smiled and answered, "I'm sorry. I've been distracted. The weather changing and my own sleeping habits have made me rather…agitated." It was as close to the truth as possible. She snuck a glance at Merlin's shocked face. When he wasn't vehemently declaring his disinterest, he really was adorable.

"Ah, yes, the coming of spring," he smiled sadistically, "We'll likely have some executions coming up."

Puzzled by Uther's peculiar statement, Arthur asked, "Executions? Whatever for?"

"Magic. The spring solstice is an important time for them, something of a holiday really. They engage in all kinds of pagan rituals. The most important of which is of the…carnal variety. It's a fertility rite and thus they are drawn together for procreation. Magic consumes them for 3 days, to the point that any touch ignites a spark. Makes it rather easy for us to detect them," he concluded with a smile.

Her face held a look of disdain. People murdered because of an important ritual for their culture? As always, she cursed Uther's ignorance and narrow mind. Over and over, he had hammered into her how evil magic and its practitioners were. But somehow she continued to resist. Did one choose magic? Or did magic choose you? Magic could be used for good, couldn't it?

Arthur shot her a warning look, clearly concerned that she might say something which would land her back in the dungeons. But there was no need. She long ago learned that silence, no reaction was the way to handle Uther. He seemed to thrive on the fear, the reactions his strict polices received. And she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

But when she glanced at Merlin, his face seemed to mirror her own internal struggle. Gone was the plucky lad who teased Arthur for being a prat, here was a virile and powerful man. And an angry one at that. His face was a mask of hatred and it was directed right at Uther. She knew that they shared similar beliefs about magic (their conversation over Mordred's sick bead ) but it was the knowledge of his friend Will's power which bespoke of his sympathies. Was he thinking about Will?

Uther, oblivious to the danger, continued to eat away, a smug smile hovering on his lips. For the space of several moments, she was afraid Merlin might strike the King. And that would definitely result in his death. He needed a distraction and fast. So she threw her napkin far under the table, far enough that should certainly couldn't reach it with propriety.

"Merlin?" her voice seemed to break through his haze of rage, "Could you fetch me my napkin from under the table?"

When he turned to meet her gaze, some of the anger was still there, but it simmered rather than boiled. "Of course, my lady," he said, his voice barely betraying his tumultuous emotions.

Earlier she had planned to use the "napkin throw" as an opportunity for seduction. She had planned to tease Merlin with a view of her legs. But it seemed wrong now, his current mood didn't welcome any more of her sexual tricks.

He came around the table, napkin in hand, to place it in her lap. While Arthur was a little too interested in their exchange, Merlin merely placed the napkin in her lap. On impulse (Arthur's big pratty head couldn't see below the edge of the table), she softly placed her hand on top of Merlin's.

It was meant to be touch of comfort, not one of seduction. A way to calm him, to show her sympathy, to differentiate herself from the idle King at the head of the table.

But as soon as her skin touched his, a small green spark cracked between their joined flesh. The strange jolt of heat and the elemental reaction frightened her. She let out a gasp as Merlin quickly jerked his hand away.

All eyes were now on the two of them. Apparently her gasp was louder than she thought.

"Morgana?" Uther said, his eyes zeroing in on Merlin.

Thinking quickly, she replied with an overly false smile, "Sorry, I accidentally scratched myself." Lifting her hand and showing off her long nails, she said, " These are always such a bother."

Uther seemed satisfied with her answer and Merlin shuffled back to his position behind Arthur.

She felt confused. Disoriented. And most of all, afraid. What had just happened?

Uther's words rang in her ears, any touch can cause a spark…Had that even happened? Was it really spark of magic or just static?

Could Merlin possess magic? Her eyes sought his across the room, but he wouldn't answer any of her beseeching glances. She tried to school her features into a mask of indifference but inside she was so damned frightened. What did this mean? What was happening? And what was happening between she and Merlin? Three days.. could she be part of reacting to the holiday?

The rest of the meal was a blur as only one question dominated her psyche; if Merlin possessed magic, did that mean she did, too?

FINIS

And the plot thickens…will Merlin help Morgana realize her magic?

Or will he clam up and keep their secrets?

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