AN: Recommended listening: "Close" by Nick Jonas and Tove Lo.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Chapter 9

Late summer heat had set in and Gwen and I fanned ourselves while we found the last of the summer herbs in the forest. Arthur and the knights had gone of on a hunt that I was graciously denied attending. I had stayed behind and did some deep cleaning of Arthur's chambers. I scrubbed out the fireplace to get it ready for winter and cleaned under furniture. It was early afternoon when I had hoped to spend some time relaxing with Gwen. But Gaius had other plans for us.

So, Gwen and I were suffering in the summer heat instead of relaxing under shade trees. "Sorry Gaius dragged you into this," I apologized to her.

"It's alright. We get to be outside instead of locked up in the castle laundry room or kitchens" Gwen reasoned.

"The laundry room sounds good right about now. Probably cooler," I joked.

"Morgana's chambers are on the coolest side of the castle and it's still unbearable in there. It's no wonder she wanted to go visit relatives this morning," Gwen said as she examined some wild mint.

"What I wouldn't do to go running into the lake right now," I groaned.

Gwen laughed.

We lounged under a shade tree for a rest some time later.

"How's Hunith doing? Have you heard from her?" Gwen asked.

"She wrote as soon as she got home. But it's harvest time now so she's very busy. She will write again after," I explained. "But she is well. She thanks you for nursing her."

"I'm always happy to help a friend," Gwen said lightly.

We were quiet for some time. I twirled a stem and bloom of chamomile between my fingers.

"Have you heard from Lancelot?" Gwen asked.

"No," I sighed. "Have you?"

"No. I figured if he'd written anyone it would have been you. You two were romantic," Gwen said.

"I think he was romantic with the both of us," I giggled.

"You're not wrong," Gwen laughed. "But if he's not going to write either of us, I think it's fair to move on to other men."

"Gwen! What a scandal! Do you have another man in your life that you're keeping from me?" I exclaimed and sat up. "Tell me! Tell me!"

She laughed and blushed. "There's nobody just yet. But now we can surely look!"

"Well I don't know who I'd be looking for. I hardly get out enough," I sighed.

"I'm sure that's by design," Gwen said.

"How do you mean?" I asked reclining against the tree again.

"Arthur," Gwen said and bumped her shoulder against mine. "He keeps you busy so as not to get involved with other men."

"Oh, I doubt that," I said dismissively.

"Everything you tell me about Arthur suggests that he has feelings for you," Gwen said.

"Yeah like telling me that I'm a terrible servant and complaining about everything I do," I said sarcastically.

"And you go back to work everyday. Which tells me you have feelings for him, as well," Gwen said.

"Right, because I'm so attracted to arrogance and prattish behavior," I rolled my eyes.

"No, you're attracted to his eyes and his muscles," Gwen teased. "You know, Merlin, the girls in the kitchens have told me that if you mix chamomile, rose petals, nettle, and rosemary it creates a tincture that increases desire."

"According to you, I don't need it," I teased back and stood up.

I brushed off my new dress.

"Where did you get that new dress? Speaking of attraction," Gwen said and stood up, brushing off her own dress.

I blushed. "I bought it."

"A dress already made?" Gwen asked, shocked. A dress already sewn was rather expensive.

"Yes," I replied and took my basket of herbs and tried to avoid further questions.

"Who bought you a dress? We make the same wages so I know there's no way you bought that!" she said excitedly as she caught up to me.

"Arthur bought it for me," I murmured.

"Did you- Did you just say that Royal Prat Arthur Pendragon bought you that dress?!" she exclaimed and made me stop walking.

I avoided her eye.

"Told you so," she said slyly and linked our arms together. "I expect to be mentioned in your wedding vows."

"Stop it," I laughed as we started walking back towards the castle. The sun was rapidly disappearing behind dark clouds. A summer storm was rolling in and the air was heavy with it.

We didn't make it back to the castle before it began to pour with rain. We said our hurried goodbyes and Gwen sent me home with both of our baskets of herbs. I rushed into Gaius' chambers soaking wet with summer rain. Gaius raised an eyebrow at me and I giggled.

"It's raining," I explained.

"So I gathered," Gaius replied.

I wrung my braid out near the fire.

"Arthur called for you," Gaius said.

"Ugh, I thought he was hunting!" I groaned.

"They came back because of the storm," Gaius explained.

"I have no time for myself!" I complained. "When did he get back?"

"About thirty minutes ago," Gaius replied and went back to his book.

"He probably wants a hot bath. That rain is freezing," I said with a sigh.

I used my magic to dry my dress and headed towards the laundry room. I would need towels for Arthur before I brought up his bath.

I found one of the servants in the kitchen. "Can you have some of the men bring up Arthur's bath water?" I asked her.

"They've already done it, dear," she replied. "Twenty minutes ago."

I thanked her and then swore under my breath. Arthur was going to be irritated and I'd have to hear about if for days. I rushed up to Arthur's chambers. He was most likely in the stables, brushing down his horse. Or in the armory putting away his weapons since I wasn't there to meet him and do it for him.

I burst into Arthur's chambers in a flurry of movement. I went straight to the cabinet where his clothes were and pulled out a tunic and bottoms and draped them on his bed. I rushed to the drawer where his soaps and comb were kept. The drawer was empty, the servants who brought up his water must have gotten it. The room was dark, the only light was the small fire in the hearth and the thin grey light coming from outside. Thunder roared again and I shivered at the power it expelled. I sighed and turned to go stoke the fire to make the room warmer for when Arthur returned.

But he was already there. In the bath. Watching me rush around. Naked.

"Sire!" I gasped. "I'm so sorry, I thought you were… not here!"

"We returned early. Not that you would know since you weren't there to meet me at the stable," Arthur said.

He was leaning back against the tub, his arms along the edge. His chest and arms were wet and glowing gold in the firelight. I suddenly remembered to avert my eyes. I remembered I should but I couldn't.

"Gaius had me working, looking for herbs," I said hoarsely. My mouth had inexplicably gone dry. I swallowed.

"Remind him that you are employed by me," Arthur said with a chuckle.

I nodded.

He grabbed the scented soap from the small table next to his bath. The smell of mint and cedar filled the room and surrounded me. It was Arthur's favorite soap and the scent of it alone simply said Arthur. I inhaled slowly, taking in the smell. My magic curled around my body and settled warm on my hips. I felt it reach out towards Arthur as he massaged and lathered his soap in his hands. I tried to reign in the long, reaching vines of magic. It was invisible but I was so so aware of how close my magic was to his body. What was happening? What was my magic doing? I felt my heart beat slow and the world around me seemed to drop away. I wasn't aware of the storm steady pounding on the roof anymore.

I knew when my magic reached him. Warmth spread through my body, emanating from where my magic settled in my hips. It was so strong I gave a little gasp. I involuntarily took two steps toward him as he sat up and forward in his bath. His eyes pierced mine, eyes dilated and lusting. I gulped when I realized that my magic was literally dragging us towards each other. I tried to stop it from making me walk towards him.

"Merlin," he said quietly. His voice deeper than usual. One more step closer. Oh no.

"What?" my voice was a whisper.

"Are you joining or leaving?" he continued in that quiet, deep, gravelly voice. Like his mouth was dry, too. He moved closer to the end of the tub towards me.

Oh no.

"Leaving," I whispered just as the ties on the back of my dress spontaneously loosened.

Oh no.

I had to get out of there. What was going on? I turned on my heel and yanked my magic back into me and rushed from the room. I could hear Arthur chuckling as I shut the door behind me. I leaned back against the closed door. I steadied my breathing and clutched my chest. My heart felt like it would beat out of my chest and I was covered in sweat. I didn't remember it being hot in Arthur's room.

Morgana turned the corner and saw me. I stood up straight and acted like I was able to breathe properly. "Merlin, are you alright?" She asked before she came closer. She looked me up and down. "Oh! Finally!"

"What?" I asked, struggling to sound like I wasn't still breathless.

"You and Arthur!" Morgana said and nodded towards Arthur's door.

I glanced at it hoping he couldn't hear. "What? No. Absolutely not."

"Why is your dress practically falling off then?" she laughed and turned me around to tie my laces.

"I'm- I'm not feeling well. I must not have done it well on my own," I said, half truthfully. I was certainly not feeling right.

"Merlin, you're sweating! Hasn't the storm cooled you? My chambers are quite drafty because of it. Do you want to come with me?" she asked kindly.

"No, thank you. I think I should go lie down," I said and hurried away from her.

I caught a glimpse of myself in a decorative mirror in the hallway. My hair was a wreck from the humid storm, my face was red and sweating, my eyes were wide and dilated, and my lips chapped. What happened to me? All I knew was that I didn't want to tell Gaius what just happened. He would laugh at me for days. This was going to have to remain a secret.