Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

T he first conscious thought that drifted through Nimue's sleep filled mind was that she wasn't alone. The second was that the body beside hers was Merlin.

Sleep took the harshness from the face made of sharp cheekbones and stubble. Time had taken the innocence from his features and left something else in its place.

A part of her feared that being back at Gwaed Lyn and in his arms was another complex torture of the queen's that she would soon wake from. She dismissed it with a shake.

Last night was the first time since her return that she hadn't dreamt of being back in the lake. Merlin had always made her feel safe, and time hadn't changed that. Whether it had been intentional or not, she'd sacrificed Deryn to save him from the hands of the Autumn Queen, and she'd sacrifice a hell of a lot more.

Nimue rested her head on his chest, listened to the thrum of his heartbeat, and felt as it synced with hers.

Yes, this is what it was like to feel whole again. Complete. Balanced .

Merlin's arms came around her, and she gave a small, contented sigh. For this, she would defy the queen, all the Aos Si and Gwaed Gam combined, and happily kill whoever tried to take it from her.

"I forgot how warm you always are," Merlin said sleepily.

She stroked his ribs slowly. "I forgot how much you snore."

"What lies you tell, woman." He rubbed his face. "What time is it?"

"Too early for breakfast. I doubt if anyone is going to be up before midday after the ball."

"I hope Eli isn't too miffed we didn't go back," Merlin groaned. "Never mind, it was well worth the lecture I might get."

"You shouldn't get so flustered about it. You know that's the reason why he does it. He has that impish streak that you inherited." Nimue rolled over so that he would spoon her.

"Impish! I have no idea what you mean," he said, pulling her tightly to his chest, one hand straying to caress her breast.

"Liar," Nimue retorted, her back arching as his fingers moved to the curve of her stomach. "You are a mischievous brute."

"You have no idea how mischievous I can be," he said and kissed her ear. "Especially before breakfast."

Rosa was enjoying a quiet coffee with Balthasar in the empty kitchen while the house slept above her. They had snuck back upstairs around midnight, and Rosa was delighted when her dress didn't disappear as the clock struck twelve. She was even more delighted when Balthasar made it disappear for her soon after.

"I can't wait for this to all be over," Balthasar said, his arm looping around her waist. "I want my house back to being pleasantly empty."

"I'm happy that everything went well last night. No faerie attacks, no betraying Gam, no blood," Rosa replied and then frowned. "Actually, I can't verify that… I hope Nimue didn't kill Eldon."

"You worry about him far too much."

"And you don't worry about Saul? Or Eli? Or any of us?" Rosa poked him in the chest. "Maybe it's you rubbing off on me." She flushed when Balthasar's smile went crooked. "That's not what I meant."

"He is a big, wild Welshman. He can take care of himself. He should know by now how to get his own feet out of his mouth."

"They are going to kill each other if they don't get it together soon…speak of the Welshman," Rosa said as laughter echoed outside.

There was a commotion at the back door before Nimue came inside.

"Oh, Rosa! We didn't think anyone would be awake yet," she said, her cheeks flushed with the cold.

"I'm starting to think you live in this kitchen, Wylt."

Rosa opened her mouth to give a snappy retort when she saw his face and paused. Something had changed. He looked different. He was Eldon shaped, but he was also something infinitely more .

"Kitchens are the heart of the house, Merlin. I was about to make some toast if you want some," Rosa offered.

"Yes please," Nimue said as she sat opposite Balthasar on the breakfast bar. "I feel like I could eat a heifer." Balthasar and Rosa shared a look.

They've totally had sex. Act natural! Rosa's eyes told him.

I am acting natural. You aren't. Stop being so nosy , Balthasar replied. Rosa hurried into the walk-in pantry to hunt bread.

"Is there any blackberry jam in here?" Merlin came in behind her and began searching the shelves.

"You are looking…different," she said tactfully. "Something happen last night?"

"Subtle as a brick you are." His amber eyes slid sideways to her. "There was no reason to keep pretending to be Eldon Blaise when it's safe enough to be Merlin again. I am myself once more."

"Glad to hear it." Rosa nodded with approval knowing she would pinch herself inwardly every time she said his name. "And you and Nimue?"

"Made up. A lot."

"I see," Rosa sighed and lifted her hand. "Then I think a Wylt Fist Bump is in order. Don't leave me hanging, cousin."

"You're a weird girl," Merlin said, but he bumped his fist against hers. "You might be the one to drag all of the Vanes into the twenty-first century."

"Yeah, I wouldn't count on that. I still don't know what a YOLO is," she admitted as they went back out, their arms full of condiments and bread.

"Do we know what the plan is for the next few days?" Rosa asked, putting slices in the toaster.

"Same as usual. Training for everyone," Balthasar said.

"We need to keep busy while the kings are plotting." Merlin pulled a face. "I'm sure it won't take long. Zalan's mind was built for tactical warfare. He had us add the extra warding because he has a plan. Didn't you think it was odd that he made it to keep the Seelie in the grounds, but not out?"

"I had wondered about that," Balthasar said, rubbing his chin. "I thought it was to protect the humans in the area, but maybe I was wrong."

"He's setting traps. Zalan will give an outrageous plan, Vincenzo will argue, Eli will consider, and it will go round and round until they finally do it," Merlin said, taking out plates and knives. "It's always the same when they are together. Arthur used to say they were like three old witches arguing, and he wasn't wrong." He made the comment flippantly, but Rosa's heart skipped a beat. He never talked about Arthur, not casually, not ever . It must've been some fantastic sex to get him in such a good mood.

"I'm glad us younger generation aren't so stubborn." Rosa leaned against him, giving him a half hug.

Nimue and Balthasar both choked on their tea.

"It's all part of our charm," Merlin agreed. "It's good to have another Wylt about this time. They all take themselves far too seriously."

"You do realize you are both part Vane," Balthasar stated, and he looked Merlin over. "There's no mistaking who sired you."

"I don't know how comfortable I am with that Vane part yet. The way the Gwaed Gam watch me freaks me out," Rosa admitted.

"That's because the ones that are here now are soldiers. They know that their first duty is to protect you. I'm fine with them being nervous about your safety."

"They aren't all soldiers, and I'm certain Vincenzo would have brought half of his harem." Rosa pulled a face. "I can't get how Eli can be so noble, Zalan so serious, and Vincenzo such a dilettante."

Balthasar smiled. "That's what he wants you to think. He knows people will underestimate him and draw the wrong conclusions. He's playing you until he understands you. Don't buy his bullshit for a second."

"Never, ever play him in cards or chess. Trust me," Merlin added. "He's as cunning as a fox with three legs and two dicks."

Rosa broke into a fit of laughter and retrieved the toast, setting it between them. It was strangely relaxing and joyful to have the four of them together.

Nimue and Merlin bounced off each other with sharp wit and stolen glances. It made Rosa ridiculously happy to see them together and the changes that one night had wrought in them. Her heart glowed as Balthasar's hand found hers under the table. The last few months were changing them all.

"Come on, Rosa, we have work to do," Merlin said an hour later. "You'd better grab your coat. You'll need it."

"Where are we going?" she asked, bending to kiss Balthasar's cheek and then his lips.

"Don't get distracted," Merlin insisted and took her fur lined bomber jacket from the peg next to the door and tossed it to her.

"You're so bossy."

"That's because I'm the boss," he said with a grin. "Come now, or stay here and never learn how to throw a fireball."

Rosa's face filled with excitement. "I'm coming! Just hang on."

Merlin opened the door, gave Nimue a wink, and they headed out into the freezing grounds.

"You know, you guys are rather cute together," Rosa said, all but prancing through the snow at his side. "I especially enjoy the way you both actively try not to look at each other."

"Are you going to be this annoying all day?" Merlin asked. "You are making me glad that Deryn and Eli never had another child."

"Don't pretend to be surly about it. I'm happy your grumpy ass is getting some sex. I'm even happier it's with Nimue who you are so obviously in…" A snowball hit her in the back of the head, and she rounded on him. "You don't want to start this game with me, old man."

"Stop talking about my love life, and I won't throw snow at you."

"You wait until I learn how to throw that fireball, then I'll show you."

"Dream on, youngling."

"Seriously though," Rosa said, taking his hand and squeezing it. "I'm glad you guys have made up. She couldn't keep the smile off her face."

A faint blush crept up from underneath his green and blue tartan scarf, but she didn't want to embarrass him by pointing it out. If nothing else, it was good to know that the great and powerful Merlin was also a fool in love.

They walked slowly around the lake, neither very interested in lessons just yet. Rosa kicked at the ice on the shoreline with the toe of her boot, wondering if the whole thing would freeze over.

"I'm surprised you mentioned Arthur this morning," she said, wondering how far she could push her luck.

"Did I? It was probably because you mentioned the way the Gam reacts to you. You are the Lady of the Lake now and…"

"Say what?" Rosa's head snapped up. "I'm the what now?"

"The Lady of the Lake was always Deryn's title. I thought that was obvious. You are the princess of her blood. It's your title to claim."

"But… But how is that possible? The Lady of the Lake gave Arthur his sword, and Deryn died long before Arthur was born."

"True, but I still brought him here to receive the sword. It needed a legend to give it power amongst the people."

"Go back. Tell me the truth. Was it a magic sword or not?"

"Eli and I made it with magic, so yes it was, but I created an illusion of Deryn to present it to Arthur. He needed to believe in it as much as everyone else. He never knew that we made it, and he didn't need to. The sword was made for him, and whatever magic it had only was possible because it was tied to him. All it did was make Arthur believe in himself enough to form his kingdom. There was nothing else special about it. The real magic was all him."

Rosa shook her head. "The placebo sword."

"That's what I tried to tell you about swords, magic, sovereignty, and symbols. If Arthur had Gaeaf Storom , something with real power, I have no doubt he would still be ruling either in this realm or the Aos Si."

"You miss him."

"Of course I miss him." His face grew somber as he stared across the lake. "I know you want to hear stories about it, Rosa, but it's…it's hard to talk about him after so long. During the wars with Morgan, I created the persona of Eldon Blaise, apprentice to Merlin, and went to search for allies across the worlds. It wasn't long before being Eldon became much each easier than Merlin. I know it was the reason why I put a spell on myself to forget, but despite how much it worked, the pain was always there, but I didn't know what it was from. That's something you must learn about being an immortal, Rosa. If you tangle with the human world, you will watch all those you love die and fade about you."

"Did Arthur really die?"

"More or less. Arthur sleeps and will never wake. He's as good as dead, but I couldn't let him go. There already had been too much death." Merlin ran his hands through his hair. "It was stupid and selfish of me. Another great failure."

"So that prophecy about him being reborn one day is all bullshit because he's not dead."

"Correct."

Rosa stopped in her tracks. "You were the one that hid him, didn't you?"

When the word came, it was barely a whisper, "Yes."

"What will happen if he wakes up?"

"That is something only time will be able to answer." Merlin took a deep breath. "I hope he'll be able to forgive me when he does."

Balthasar and Nimue continued their easy conversation long after Rosa and Merlin had disappeared. Nimue had lost most of her nerves around him now that she'd seen past his fierce exterior to the surprisingly funny and warm person Rosa loved.

"I hope Rosa doesn't cause too much damage down there," Balthasar said, placing his cup in the dishwasher. "I don't know if teaching her how to throw fireballs is a good idea…not without teaching me how to properly shield them at the same time."

Nimue smiled fondly. "She is already very powerful and doesn't realize it. She will be magnificent when she comes into her own."

"Without a doubt."

They were interrupted by a very neatly dressed Gwaed Gam with an iPad. Nimue recognized her as Vincenzo's formidable assistant. With the way she shadowed Vincenzo, Nimue suspected she was also his bodyguard.

" Buon pomeriggio . You are both needed by the Masters," she said formally.

They followed her upstairs to the library where the three Seren Du brothers sat in front of the wall of windows in the library. Eli looked tired as he turned to greet them.

"Forgive the summons, but I needed to talk to you both while Rosa and Merlin were out of earshot," Eli apologized.

"Morning, children," Vincenzo said, studying Nimue over the rim of his cup. "Fun night?"

Nimue flushed. "None of your business."

"That's a yes. I'm pleased that Eli's children have found mates that are so fiery."

"So could you, if you stopped being such a whore," Balthasar teased, pouring himself another coffee from Vincenzo's pot.

"You are lucky I like you, little nephew," he grinned sharply. "You know how I hate it when you're right."

"Where's Saul?"

"Probably tucked up with Zalan's general," Eli replied. "I love him to pieces, but he can't hear this either. He can't say no to Rosa, and he'll need plausible deniability."

"He isn't with Adelina," Zalan snapped.

"Defensive much?" Vincenzo teased. "Not everyone can be a monk like you. Unless you want her for yourself…"

"Adelina is asexual. He needs to back off and stop making her so uncomfortable."

"So you won't trust Saul with this conversation because he'll tell Rosa, but you are going to tell me?" Balthasar interrupted to get them back on track.

"When you hear what we have to say you will understand," Eli cleared his throat and turned to Nimue. "We would like you to consider returning to the Aos Si."

The air left Nimue's lungs, and she fought to keep herself upright. "What? Eli, if I've done anything to offend you…"

"No, it isn't like that at all." He went to her side and took her hands in his. "We want to draw the queen and her army here to Gwaed Lyn so that we can be rid of her. We have a plan, and it can work, but only if you help us."

"And that includes going back to the queen? Are you fucking insane?" Balthasar hissed.

"Exactly what I said, but hear them out, Bal," Vincenzo muttered.

Anxiety clawed at Nimue as they laid out the complex plan before them. So much was uncertain, and if one thing went wrong, if the queen slaughtered Nimue on sight, it would fall to pieces.

"I can see why you don't want Rosa to know." Balthasar's voice was husky when he finally spoke again. "It's because she'd go to Merlin. He wouldn't allow this to happen."

"Of course he wouldn't. He only just got Nimue back. He won't be able to see past his feelings," Zalan replied.

Eli folded his arms. "Ultimately, the Autumn Queen doesn't know that she isn't still controlling you or that you're even on our side. I could fabricate the spell she put on your mind, but give us the advantage of being able to see through your eyes and into the Court. She won't be able to tell the difference. It will give us an edge, and we'll know if she's onto us."

"And what if she locks me in the lake again or worse?" Nimue asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"We would come for you," Balthasar promised before anyone else could. "I've done it before, and I will be able to do it again. Rosa, Merlin, and I would come for you."

There was a helplessness in his dark eyes as he looked at her. He agreed to their plan and hated it. He wanted to reassure her. The fear of the queen almost choked her. The fact Eli would trust her not to betray them scared her even more.

"You can do this, Nimue. You are strong enough." Eli placed a hand on her shoulder. "This way, we will stop the queen from hurting any of us ever again. It's a big risk, but it's worth taking to be free."

Free . That seductive word rippled through her. Didn't she already know that it would never end until the queen was dead? This was risky, but it was a chance to get her revenge.

She walked to the windows as Rosa's screams of joy echoed across the grounds. She and Merlin were returning from the forest, and she was juggling snowballs before sending them at Merlin with magic. He dodged them easily, responding with a fireball that she caught and sent flying back towards him. Balthasar joined Nimue, his hand resting on her shoulder.

Rosa shouted as a snowball caught her on the shoulder, and she tackled Merlin to the ground. They seemed so happy and unburdened. She had a chance to give them that all the time.

Nimue sighed and rested her head against the glass. "I want another day with him, and then I'll do it."

Balthasar's arm went around her, his eyes watching the scene below them. "What we wouldn't do for our Wylts."