Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(86)

"Believe what you want. I do not want you here. Gather Tom, Dick and Harry, and leave. I want you off my lands."

"You know what, tough boy? Tough shit!"

"Please go."

"No, you ass**le. I am staying and I will fight for Camelot and you 'til the end. Win or lose."

"If I die, Izzy, I can no longer protect you. If you go, you are out of harm's way."

"And if you don't let us try, then we cannot even help to protect you. We have plans. Arthur, there are more ways than bloodshed. In war, deception is fully acceptable."

"What is your plan, Countess?"

Arthur whirled, Isabel still in his arms.

"Mordred, if you are behind this, there is no love strong enough to overcome how I will punish you," Arthur said.

"I swear, father, I knew naught of any of this."

Arthur nodded. "Your plan, then, is to escort the countess and her men back to Dumont."

"I'm not leaving," she said.

"What is your plan, Countess?" Mordred asked. "Unlike my father, I have learned to listen when you speak."

"We are going to spike the trails leading to Camelot with mushroom-laced foods and drink. We will drop those idiots one mouthful at a time. We might not get all of them, but we will get some. And we will definitely slow them down."

Arthur finally placed her back on the floor. "That is brilliant."

"It is," Mordred said. "You will need scouts to lay the trail of food and drink. I volunteer to head the group."

"Can we trust him, Arthur?" Isabel asked.

"You are a better judge of character than I, Isabel. And I have a bias. He is, after all, my son. What think you?"

She looked into Mordred's green eyes, so like his father's. "I believe that your son loves you. He would be proud to be part of the offensive against those who would harm you. Am I wrong, Mordred?"

"No, Countess. I would protect my father and his lands against all invaders. I know that I said otherwise afore, but 'twas only because I . . ."

"Wanted to hurt him, as you had believed all of your life that he had hurt you."

"Yes."

"And you now realize that isn't at all true."

"Yes. I am so sorry, Father."

"Please believe in me, Son."

"I do, father."

"I believe him. Okay, please round up about ten men who know those trails better than any other. Then go to the baking kitchen and gather the food and drink, and meet me back here in the great hall. There is one other part to this plan the men will probably not like so much. But it could well give you more protection, should you encounter any of these marauders."

"Yes." He turned toward the doors.

"Mordred."

He turned back. "Yes?"

"You are your father's son. No wonder he loves you as much as he does."

Mordred blinked. "I consider that the highest praise I have e'er heard. After all I have said and done - "

"You make up for it in this one great and important deed."

"Thank you, Countess. Father."

"And, Mordred. Do not, and I mean it, do not allow any of the men to give in to temptation and eat or drink your weapons. They are poison, pure and simple."

"Yes." He turned and broke into a run.

Arthur stared at her for a moment. "Would that I had the time to make love to you this very moment."

"Time for that after."

"I hope with all my heart that is true. There is no way I am going to change your mind about leaving, is there?"

"What is, Not a single chance in hell, Alex."

"What happened to your hair, Isabel?"

"It happily sacrificed itself for the cause."

He laid his forehead against hers. "I ne'er knew it was possible to love this desperately."

"And if you don't get back out there and continue planning, you won't know it for long."

"Yes, you are right," he said. He kissed her fiercely, right there in the great hall, for any or all to see. And she was still barefoot in her nightgown.

"Isabel?"

"Yes, Arthur?"

"With all that I am and all that I have, to thee I vow."

"Premature, but so very wonderful to hear. Now go. I have work to do."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You love me."

"Yes, I do."

"And that is the knowledge and fortification I need to fight the battle of my life."

"No more scars, Arthur. Not a single scratch."

"I will do my best to honor that wish."

"It was not a wish. It was a demand."

"Yes, Countess," he said, grinning. "And I cannot wait to be forever at your demand."

She laughed. "Go, smartass."

"One more demand I will honor."

He kissed her one more time, then turned and strode out the door. Oh, how she wished he wasn't already wearing his armor, so she could get one more chance to ogle that incredible butt.

"I love you," he called over his shoulder.

One of his men who had just entered stopped short.

"Not you, Ashton. Her," he said, hiking a thumb over his shoulder.