Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(40)

He laughed and then took another drink of wine. "I must say that I know not much of what you say. You use words I have ne'er heard. Yet I enjoy attempting to puzzle them out by the words that surround them."

Isabel felt a buzz run down her body, and she knew it had nothing to do with the wine. "I try at times to speak as you, but forget to at times."

"Please do not try. I am much enamored by who you are and how you speak. And the workings of your mind. And your beauty. And - "

"Stop! I appreciate the flattery, Arthur, but it embarrasses me."

"And your caring heart," Arthur said, with a grin. "And I could go on, but now I will stop." He refilled both of their goblets, although she'd barely put a dent in her own to begin with. But she didn't protest. She was too freakin' happy just to be with him.

Merlin is happy, Arthur and Isabel. He is still in a deep sleep, but he smiles as well.

Arthur frowned. "Did you hear that?"

Isabel didn't know whether to say yes or no.

"Hear what?" she asked, deciding noncommittal was the way to go.

"About Merlin?"

"Merlin?"

Arthur shook his head. "It must be my mind playing tricks."

She tried to word her answer as best she could. She did not want Arthur thinking he was losing his marbles. "I think that when thoughts enter your mind, they are there for a reason. To ponder upon. At least, that's how I find those types of voices in my head."

Viviane, cut it out!

Sorry!

He sat back and said, "So tell me, Izzy, what would you like to know most about me? My first love?"

What she'd love to know most is how he looked totally naked. And whether he was as good a lover as his eyes and smile promised. But brazen hussy that she normally was, she wasn't quite ready to blurt out those questions. Yet.

"I would love to know that story, but it's not what I'd like to hear first. But I fear going too far."

"Try me," he said.

She hesitated. "I would like to know what your greatest passion is. What matters the most to you, Arthur?"

He took a few long minutes to answer, rubbing his beard. In the meantime Isabel took several sips of her wine, waiting for him to tell her all kinds of things. Like it was none of her freaking business, for one. Re-winning Gwen's affection for another. Running out of the room before answering her for another.

Finally he said, "I have many of those. May I choose more than one?"

"Of course," she said, swallowing a hiccup and fear. Fear of what, she wasn't certain, but there was definitely fear hanging around her. A more benign question would have worked better.

"I want to secure the safety and happiness for all of Camelot. But I am much concerned that this is not going to be possible."

"Why?"

"There be too many who want to bring us down. 'Tis why we are having this meeting of the knights from other realms. To unite against those dark forces."

"Dumont is not one, Arthur. I promise you."

His smile was grim. "I know that, Isabel. And I much appreciate the support you are offering."

"I have men on their way, ready to defend you."

That was a bunch of bullshit. She didn't even know if she had men. But she was depending on the Lady to help her with that one.

"Your men have come already, Isabel. They are even now settling in."

"They have?"

"You did not know?"

Get with the program, Isabel. Do you think I did not bring backup?

A little forewarning might have been nice.

You should recognize them easily, as they will look familiar to you. They are the entire football team of UO, but to make this rhyme Oklahoma U.

Holy shit, you did not take them away from -

Oh, can it, Isabel, they are mirror images as are Tom, Dick and Harry.

Isabel didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She wondered if the Sooner Schooner had carried some of them.

Yes, indeed. Now please get back to Arthur.

She swallowed. "They did, indeed, arrive ahead of schedule. My apologies if this is a burden for you."

He laughed. "No burden at all. They have been nothing but a pleasure, according to James. They even brought something called a mas-cot."

"Oh boy. They'll have your men tailgating in no time."

She saw his confusion and quickly shook her head. "I will have to go welcome them and thank them for coming shortly. But not before I hear what more you have to say."

"To say?"

"Or maybe you don't. I thought you had more than one passion."

"Oh, yes. My passions."

Once more he grinned in a way that truly made her melt and fire up at one and the same time. Something she had never felt before. Try to figure that one out, Dr. Phil.

"Yes, passions. We definitely need to get back on track here. I passionately want to keep peace between Gwen and me."

Talk about your heart sinking straight to your toes. "I understand that, Arthur. And I believe you should. Salvaging your marriage should definitely be your first priority."

Her necklace thumped.

"You misunderstand. I passionately want Gwen to be happy. That is not with me. She is much in love with Lance. I cannot stop them nor do I want to hurt them in this. Truly, I am most concerned that I cannot protect them as well as I need to do. I care about the two very much."