Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(24)

"So then let's protect them."

"My pardon, Isabel?"

"You love them both, yes?"

"Most assuredly. Not as afore, but still, they mean much to me."

"You have decided, in your soul, that you do not want to punish them, correct?"

"I have."

"Then we need to come up with a plan. A battle plan, as it were."

His laughter was rich, and once again it reached down into her body. "You are a constant amazement, Countess."

"Hey, what the hell, let's get this done. We might all come out of this with what we want."

"What I want right now is to feel your lips."

"Keep your eye on the prize, Arthur."

"You have said this afore on our ride to Camelot. However, the prize, as you call it, has changed."

"You want to keep Camelot and all of your people safe. That has never changed."

"I cannot deny that. I can, however, change what this prize I want most desperately might be."

"THE plan, Arthur. We must work on the plan," Isabel said, while Arthur was unforgivably debating another plan. Although the servants had doused the garden lanterns for the night, he'd lit them again when he'd come out to ponder the future. It was all a jumble of what he had always envisioned, expected and desired. So much of it all had gone awry. When had he lost control? For some time he had wanted to keep it all together, running smoothly. And then the gods had made a mockery of his dreams and desires.

Or had they?

Isabel sat staring at him intently, her blond hair shimmering from the lantern lights, her eyes so large and inquisitive.

"I love her. I know that I do. But what does it say about me that I am not stopping what I see happening and that I have this attraction to another woman? How is it possible that I felt a desire for you on first sight?"

Wow, this honesty thing that the Lady's necklace brought about was a lot more powerful than she'd thought.

"Perhaps, just perhaps, that you fell for a beautiful woman who was just a teeny bit too young for you?"

He again shook his head. "Which makes me an old fool?"

"Arthur, you are neither old, nor a fool. Gwen is a lovely young woman. And I do believe she loves you as well. I see it when she looks at you. She respects and admires you, and is proud to be your queen."

"Do you see love or desire when she gazes upon me?"

"I haven't been around long enough to discern such a thing."

That was the biggest bunch of bullshit she'd had to gag out. All she'd noticed was lust and desire when the queen had kept sneaking peeks at Lancelot.

"Bullshit. Apologies for that word and for using it in your presence. I made it up at one point when I felt I was being deceived. You are not giving me truth."

She stared at him for a second, then broke out laughing. "You, sir, are quite honest."

"You, madam, are skirting the issue that you've promised to help me work out."

Isabel wished she could have gone back and majored in psychology. But she had nothing but basic logic to go on now. And the Lady, who she hoped would kick her in the chest if she went wrong.

"May I be blunt?"

"Blunt?"

"Truthful to the point that it might cause you pain."

"Then be blunt, Countess."

"I think you love Gwen enough to allow her happiness. I think you shield her from gossip because you want her to go about this tryst if it allows her to find her joy. I think you don't banish Lancelot because you know that the two find joy together. Would you like me to go on and have you banish me?"

"I would fight my own men to keep you here, Countess."

"Ask yourself, why do you permit this?"

"Happiness is a fleeting thing, do you not think? Am I the arbiter of happiness? The crown does not grant me the right to determine who should and should not find theirs, wherever it leads." He once again cocked his head sideways. "The truth is, I honestly know not. Strange as it seems, I want Gwen to be happy."

"You're a good-hearted man, Arthur."

"With many, many flaws it appears."

"Such as?"

"Poor judgment, perhaps?"

Isabel stood. "Are you saying poor judgment would be wanting to kiss me?"

"No, madam, that would most likely be one of my best judgments."

"No offense, but do you consider yourself good at this?"

His eyes glittered and he shrugged. "'Tis a mystery. Mayhap I am mistaken and overly boastful in that skill. How shall I ever know?"

"Sir, I'm well schooled in certain arts. Perhaps I can determine if this is a deadly fault of yours?"

Isabel waited for the thump, but it never came.

He went still. "Madam, I would most certainly accept your honest opinion."

They looked at each other for a long time before he finally lowered his head. Their mouths met tentatively at first, but the fire lit up fast. Before she could even think, his one hand thrust itself through her hair and his other went to the small of her back, pulling her closer. He broke the kiss long enough to stare into her eyes and whisper, "I must do better."

If he did any better, Isabel was going to get seared. His mouth came down on hers again, and he played so many million tricks on her lips that she needed him to hold her up. He tasted like sex, he played her mouth like sex, he nipped her lips lightly like pure sex.