Savior of Avalon

Chapter Fourteen

Morgana tapped her finger impatiently on the spectacularly carved throne, her chin resting in the palm of one dainty hand.

Sibyl had left the safety of Avalon's borders. Morgana could feel the girl's magic even in the confines of her castle. The magic was strong. So strong, Merlin's magic was almost pale in comparison.

"Barrington," Morgana screeched, her finger ceasing its tapping and curling around the arm of the throne so tightly it was a wonder it didn't break.

Barrington came to her side immediately.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

"Sibyl has left Avalon. She's here. She'll be coming for me soon."

With ashen skin and a shaky voice he asked, "What do you propose we do now, m'lady?"

"Her magic has grown significantly stronger," Morgana began. "And Merlin is with her. Although she may have grown, she still lacks control. Find her and kill her. No doubt Arthur will be with her. Bring their heads to me as proof they are dead. Take as many men as you'll need. And don't come back until they're dead."

Barrington nodded once, bowed and headed off to get some troops ready. He knew exactly what would happen if he didn't bring Sibyl's head back on a platter. He'd seen it happen. He wasn't planning on being one of the men it happened to. He liked his head on his shoulders where it belonged.

When Barrington was gone, Morgana turned to her right, her piercing green eyes meeting fierce brown ones.

She leaned back until her back was pressed against the throne, her eyes never leaving the woman who had birthed her greatest foe.

"You won't be in that cage for long, Nicole," Morgana spat her name like a curse, her pretty face twisting in hatred. "Barrington will bring back your daughter's head and after you've seen your precious Sibyl's head separated from her body, I'll kill you, too."

"My daughter has survived your men before, Morgana," said Nicole, her eye contact never wavering. "She'll do it again."

Morgana grew annoyed with this conversation, annoyed with everyone's faith in Sibyl. She waved her hand and Nicole slumped over, her breathing deepening as she fell into sleep. The cage that was holding Nicole disappeared and, looking over at one of her men, she ordered him to take her back to the cells.

Everyone's blind faith in Sibyl would be broken. The only reason Sibyl had escaped the men she'd put in the land called America, was because there was no magic in that world. But here, there was magic.

Here, Sibyl would die.

☪ ☪ ☪ ☪ ☪ ☪ ☪ ☪

After a riding for a long time, Arthur finally instructed us to stop.

We had been riding for a long while now and, luckily, hadn't run into any resistance. The sun had fully risen now, but it was still early. If I had to guess, I'd say it was about ten.

Mordred, who had been keeping me company during the trip, rushed to help me off of Aurea's back. Aengus just waggled his thick brows at me, causing me to laugh.

"Thanks, Mordred."

"It's no problem," he assured me, smiling. "You're helping us save Camelot. I'm helping a beauteous maiden off her steed, it's a win-win."

We walked to a spot of grass and sat down like everyone else was doing, taking time to eat and drink some water.

"We ride again in ten minutes," Arthur notified us.

"So, what do you know about the Isle of the Lost?" I wondered, curious.

Taking a bite out of a piece of bread, Mordred shrugged. "Not much," he admitted. "I only know what the few people who have survived have said. That the lake we must cross to reach the Isle remains unfrozen, despite Morgana's magic. Some say the lake is unfrozen because of the Mermaids who live there."

"Mermaids?"

I couldn't believe my ears. I suppose I shouldn't have been so shocked. I mean, this world was ruled by a sorceress who froze the entire land and killed the entire race of Unicorns—my father included. This was a world where, what my world swore was impossible, was possible.

Mordred nodded, grinning at my expression which I'm sure was priceless.

"Because it is unfrozen, many water creatures have found their way to this lake. Water Sirens, an Ocean Nymph or two. Because of this, it's almost impossible to get across the lake. And then, once we're on the island, there are many frightening creatures. Some of who have no name because no one was even aware they existed. And at the heart of this island, is the stone and the sword."

"Guess we're going to have to kick a lot of ass," I breathed after a moment, taking a bite of bread.

Smiling warmly, Mordred nodded once and said, "Indeed."

Suddenly, I felt a chill. A chill far colder than the air around us. It was exactly like when we were in the motels and Morgana tried to track us.

Reaching for Thom—who was sitting not too far away—I pulled on his arm, gaining his attention.

"M-Morgana is t-t-trying to t-track us," I stammered, teeth chattering.

"Arthur," Thom called, helping me up as Mordred did the same. "Lucinda can feel Morgana's magic, she's trying to track us. We have to get out of here."

Arthur, his knights and the soldiers who had come with me were all on their feet immediately, going over to their horses and preparing them for another long ride.

Aurea made her way toward me, her golden coat made her look almost surreal. Shivering, I buried my cold hands into her warm neck.

"Hey, girl," I greeted her.

"Are you fit to ride her alone?" Mordred wondered, eyebrows pressed together in worry.

Before I could open my mouth to assure him I was fine, Merlin spoke up sharply.

"She'll be fine. Aurea doesn't need guidance, she's smarter than other steeds. Besides, Sibyl's cold spell will pass. Now, get on your horse so we can get the hell out of here."

Merlin's tone was strange. It was less emotionless and more of an icy tone you'd take up with someone you disliked. I brushed that off, though. As far as I knew, Merlin had no reason to dislike Mordred.

Mordred frowned in Merlin's direction and, sparing one last worried glance at me, moved away to get onto his own horse.

Before long, we were all racing through the woods, following Arthur closely. I held onto Aurea as she ran gracefully. I could feel her exhilaration. I could feel how much she loved to run.

After a long run, Arthur slowed his horse down to a walk and the rest of us did the same. You could say whatever you wanted about Arthur, but you couldn't say he wasn't a leader. Whatever he did, the rest of us followed before we even realized it.

"There's a town," he spoke up, "a little while away. If we keep going as we have been, we should reach it by tomorrow morning. When we get there, we'll head to the market for food and more water."

Everyone murmured in agreement and Merlin's horse sidled up next to Aurea.

"Has the cold passed yet?" His gaze was forward and his jaw was clenched.

"Y-yeah," I said, feeling the cold ebb as we spoke.

"Good."

He took off, racing ahead of me and to Arthur's side. I have a feeling that many of their journeys were like that: with Merlin by Arthur's side. It was very clear they were good friends.

We trekked through the ice and on to the village Arthur had told us about. Thom and Aengus stayed at my side the entire time. I honestly didn't know what I'd do without them. Thom and I shared a common goal: Mom's safety. Not to mention, I'd known him since I was a small child. Aengus was lighthearted and he kept the trip from being to somber. He cracked jokes and when he laughed, the rest of us did, too. Aengus made all the difference.

Remembering what he said about my other warrior, I suddenly found myself wondering where he was. Wondering who he was. What he was like. Aengus was so lighthearted and something in me was sure my next warrior would be stern and unmoving.

Night was beginning to fall. The sky overhead was turning dark and you could see the sun falling behind the horizon, dimming it's light for the moon.

Arthur decided it would be best to set up camp. We found a secluded area and everyone tied their horses to the trees to keep them from running off. I knew I didn't need to tie up Aurea. She wouldn't run off on her own anyway. She wouldn't leave my side.

"Sibyl," Merlin called out.

I pat Aurea once and went over to see what Merlin wanted. Aengus followed, keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings, almost as if he were daring something to jump out at us.

"We need to create a shield around us so we can all sleep through tonight," Merlin began, seemingly unaware—or maybe just not caring—that all the other knights and the warriors who had come with me were listening in. "Your shields are strong—stronger than mine. So you create the shield and I'll merge my magic with yours to create offensive measures just in case someone tries to break through your shield."

"Okay."

Admittedly, I was a little... nervous about merging my magic with Merlin's again. The last time I did, it had made me feel funny. It had made me want to be closer to him. And even now—although our magic had merged days ago—I could still feel him. Like he was living inside of me somehow.

He took my hand and closed his eyes, concentrating. Taking a deep breath and ignoring how warm his hand was, I did the same.

This time was different that that time in the car. Probably because he could use his magic here. I could feel him reaching out for me. His magic—strong, merciless strikes of lightning—wrapping around mine. It was all I could do not to gasp out.

Instead, I focused on a shield, feeling his magic and mine creating something together. His hand tightened around mine—almost as if he felt it, too.

A strong burst of magic flowed through me as I focused on creating a shield around us. I think the others felt it, because I heard a few gasps.

With great power, I called out, "Defende nos ab inimicis nostris."

My body grew warm and I felt magic in every single pore—my magic and Merlin's. His lightning tightened around my shield, protecting it—protecting us. It was strangely...pleasurable.

Finally, it all stopped and my eyes open to meet amber ones. His eyes were darker than usual, his full lips parted. His expression wasn't the cool mask I was used to. It was so different than what I was used to that I struggled to breathe normally. This expression he was wearing was...lustful.

"Well," I heard Thom say in astonishment, whistling under his breath. "That was something. I've never seen anything like that."

"Nor have I," agreed Arthur. "I knew they were both strong, but that was much more powerful than I was expecting."

Merlin was facing away from me, balling and unballing his hands into fists.

"The shield should last the night and through the morning. Once we start moving, though, the shield will fall," he warned, his voice sounding a little rough.

Arthur nodded. "Thanks." He looked at me and smiled. "Both of you."

I smiled back. Arthur really was a good guy.

"You did well, little girl," Merlin said to me, his voice sharp, cutting as he walked away.

I sighed as I watched him go. I guess the moment I thought we had was just my imagination. Merlin would always think of me as a child. I couldn't explain why that made me so sad.