Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(77)

"I will repeat. 'The woman who Arthur, King of Camelot, has come to love so much that he will do anything to protect her from harm.'" He grinned. "The first response was slightly insulting, as it was a slobbering dog. I will, however, forgive that one and allow another choice."

"Who is Countess Isabel?" she whispered.

"Oh, so correct, Isabel."

"I have one for you."

He smiled. "As you say many a time, hit me."

"The woman who refuses to allow you to give up your lands, your dream, your love just for her. The woman who is so ready to follow you into battle to keep the dream of Camelot alive."

He took her face in his hands. "The question would be, Who is the one I would hold captive afore I e'er allowed her to run into harm's way on my behalf? It will not happen, Isabel. I cannot even believe of such."

"Has it ever occurred to you that women could actually help behind the lines? Allow us to take part."

"No. I will not have women harmed. And you . . . I could not live if you were harmed. I just could not."

"And yet you expect me, or any of us, to stand by and watch you be injured, or worse?"

"I do. It is what I must do. Please, Isabel, do not make me worry about you, should it come to this. I could not do my job."

"Is it coming to this?"

He hesitated, but finally nodded. "It appears a possibility. Those not invited to the table have banded together, according to reports. We must prepare."

"Then we will."

"Isabel, no."

"I will not allow anyone to harm you without a fight. Wouldn't you do the same for me?"

"'Tis not the same."

"It is exactly the same. If you think women are incapable of doing what they must to protect their king, their castle, their life, then you are underestimating us all."

"I do not underestimate. I have need to protect. You, most of all."

"How much time do we have?" she asked.

"Isabel - "

"How much time, Arthur?"

"My best estimate with my men's information is three weeks. We believe they plan to attack when all of the knights invited to the table have gathered."

"That sounds like a pretty stupid plan to me."

"Not should there be traitors sitting amongst us."

"Do you know which?"

"I have a fair idea."

Isabel growled. "The women will not only aid, we are going to kick ass."

"Isabel."

"Yes, Arthur?"

"You excite me and drive fear into me at one and the same time."

"I hope you bring the excitement with you this evening. The fear, allow me to take care of that."

"Isabel, I am to protect you."

She thumped his arm. "Just for once, Arthur, get used to the idea that women can be very useful in taking care of their men. Just once."

"I will not allow you to go into battle, should this attack occur. Isabel, please, I cannot even stomach the possibility. I love you. Do you not ken?"

"Oh, yes, I ken. How about if I promise that none of us, not a single woman, actually enters any type of battlefield?"

He peered at her. "You have a sneaky plan, Isabel."

She offered him the falsest innocent face imaginable. "I swear, I truly swear, that we will not enter the field of battle."

"You have another plan."

"I swear, I swear we will not enter the field of battle."

"I do not know whether to laugh or shake with worry."

"I choose Laugh for one thousand, Alex."

"Isabel, I could not bear if anything happened to you. The love I have for you is . . . just so . . . I cannot even describe the feelings. I only know that should I lose you after I have just found you, I . . . I cannot imagine going on."

She chuckled as she looked up into his hard, warm, worried face. "I am not the one readying herself for battle, Arthur. How do you think I feel, knowing you are?"

"'Tis what I do."

"Oh, yes, 'tis what you do. And I am supposed to smile, pack you a lunch, send you off and say, 'Hope you're still alive by supper, Arthur. It would be such a shame to waste your favorite meal. However, Pix might enjoy it.'"

He glared at her for a moment, and then just laughed. He pulled her close. "This has been the strangest conversation I have e'er had. I love you so much."

"As you should," she said, still feeling grumpy and afraid. She'd had no idea that danger might be close at hand. He had managed to keep that little piece of information close to the vest. Or tunic. Or chain stuff. "We will not sit by, Arthur. We have ways."

"Should it come to this, I will not allow women to rush in. And most definitely not my woman."

"Women will not join in the stupid wars you men fight."

"Meaning what?"

"We are much more resourceful than you think."

"Betimes you worry me, Countess."

"I should worry you at all times."

"This is what concerns me."

"As well it should."

"May I see you tonight?" he asked.

"What is, 'The woman who wants to be with Arthur tonight more than any other on this earth.' For a thousand, Alex."