Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-Five

ARTHUR

I stood on the balcony of Camelot's highest tower, watching in awe as the city below transformed before my eyes. The streets were awash with color and magic, unlike anything I'd ever seen in Albion.

Fae from every corner of Avalon had crossed through shimmering portals over the past three days, their arrival heralded by bursts of light and swirling mist. Flowers bloomed spontaneously wherever faerie feet touched the ground first. The air was sweet and floral rather than bitter and cold. For the very first time, Camelot actually felt alive.

Humans gathered in the streets, wearing their finest clothing and selling whatever they could, eager to collect fae jewels and gold.

Seelie and Unseelie fae mingled freely, their centuries-old animosity set aside for this historic moment. Among the fae, I could see the human nobles of Camelot, their eyes wide with awe and a touch of fear. Queen Tatiana was staying in the castle, and I’d made sure to provide her with a detail of our finest guards.

My coronation had been a spectacular event, but it took hours for me to recite the ancient vows to protect and serve as the high queen of Albion. Not just Camelot, but over the entire realm. The ceremony was a mesmerizing blend of human tradition and fae magic, unlike anything I had ever witnessed.

The great hall had been transformed into a breathtaking wonderland. Vines of shimmering silver and gold crept up the stone walls, blooming with flowers that glowed like captured starlight. The air was thick with the scent of night-blooming jasmine and moon flowers, their ethereal petals unfurling in the presence of so much magic.

The humans had been mystified, having never seen much of the world beyond the mortal realm they were stuck in. But not anymore. As queen, I pledged to open the gateways between realms, uniting our people as one in both trade and politics. There was a long road ahead, but I realized I was actually looking forward to figuring it out.

I turned from the balcony, my bare feet silent on the cool stone floor as I made my way back into my chambers. The room was bathed in the soft glow of floating orbs of faerie light, casting dancing shadows across the walls.

My handmaidens—a mix of human and fae—bustled about, making final preparations for the evening's festivities. They chattered excitedly in a melodious blend of languages, their eyes bright with anticipation. Tonight would be one to remember. The fae were bringing revelry to the humans, and we would celebrate deep into the early hours of the dawn.

I stood before the full-length mirror, marveling at my transformation. Gone was the street thief in tattered clothes. In her place stood a queen, radiant and ethereal. I almost didn’t recognize myself.

The dress they’d crafted for me was a masterpiece of fae artistry. Sheer red fabric flowed like liquid fire, clinging to my curves before cascading to the floor in ripples of crimson. With each movement, shimmering runes flickered to life across my skin, each one hand painted with metallic pigments. My hair was styled into a strange, sleek and straight waterfall of chestnut strands, and my mother’s circlet sat atop my head. I still couldn’t figure out how they’d accomplished it.

Tonight I would drink from the Holy Grail. In front of all of Camelot, and all who’d traveled from Avalon to bear witness. Tonight I would become truly immortal, and worthy of the highest throne in the land.

But there was something I had to do first. Before the magic took hold and transformed me.

A soft knock at the door interrupted my swirling thoughts. The handmaidens exchanged knowing glances, their cheeks flushing as they moved to answer it. As the heavy oak door swung open, my breath caught in my throat. There, framed in the doorway, stood my knights. All five of them, and beside them, was Merlin. They filed into the room one by one.

Gone were their usual leather and steel. Instead, they wore traditional fae clothing—loose silks and fine linens that draped elegantly over their muscular forms. Their chests were bare, bronzed skin on full display. Intricate tattoos and shimmering runes decorated their arms and torsos, pulsing faintly with magic. They were barefoot and wild tonight.

The maids scrambled out of the room in a fit of giggles.

My knights surrounded me, their eyes filled with heat. Gawain let out a low whistle. "You look absolutely breathtaking, my queen," he said, his voice husky.

Lancelot stepped closer, his golden eyes smoldering. "That dress is sinful. I can't wait to peel it off you."

Tristan's silver gaze raked over me appreciatively. "Hello, mate …” His voice was silken, and made my thighs clench with need.

Merlin's blue eyes blazed with barely contained desire. "Fuck—" he breathed, "you’re magnificent."

They circled me slowly, drinking in every detail. The heat of their gazes was like a physical caress. My skin tingled with anticipation, desire coiling low in my belly.

Gawain's fingers trailed along my bare arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "So soft," he murmured. "Like silk and starlight."

Lancelot stepped behind me, his warm breath fanning across my neck. "I can smell your need," he growled softly. "It's intoxicating."

Tristan's hand cupped my cheek, tilting my face up to meet his eyes. "My beautiful mate," he said reverently. "Tonight you'll bear all our marks.”

And not only that, but when we were fully mated, and I sipped from the Grail, my immortality would transfer to them, and I’d know that they’d be protected.

Galahad's fingers tangled in my hair, gently tugging my head back. His hot breath hit the shell of my ear. “We’re going to fuck you the way a goddess deserves to be fucked.”

I sucked in a breath, barely containing a moan. Gentle hands caressed my skin as lips pressed heated kisses along my neck and shoulders. I trembled with anticipation as they slowly undressed me, the sheer red fabric falling away to pool at my feet.

Tristan lifted me in his strong arms, carrying me to the bed. The others followed, shedding their own clothing as they went. My breath caught at the sight of their magnificent bodies, hardened warriors built for battle and taking lives.

They laid me out on the silken sheets, six pairs of eyes roaming hungrily over my naked form. Gawain was the first to claim my lips in a searing kiss that left me breathless. His tongue swept into my mouth as his hands cupped my breasts, thumbs brushing over sensitive nipples.

Lancelot's golden head dipped between my thighs, his talented tongue exploring my wet heat. I gasped and arched into his touch as waves of pleasure washed over me. Galahad captured my lips next, swallowing my moans as Lancelot's licks and sucks intensified.

Percival's shadows caressed my skin like living silk while Tristan's silver eyes blazed with hunger as he watched. Merlin's magic danced over my flesh, heightening every sensation.

Lancelot's tongue worked magic between my thighs as the others caressed and kissed every inch of my skin. Waves of pleasure coursed through me, building higher and higher. Just as I was about to crest that peak, Lancelot pulled away with a wicked grin.

"Not yet, my queen," he purred. "We've only just begun."

Gawain's frost-kissed lips trailed along my collarbone as Galahad's gentle hands massaged my breasts. Merlin’s fingers traced intricate patterns on my skin, leaving trails of tingling heat in their wake. When he leaned down to capture my lips in a searing kiss, I tasted lightning and starlight on his tongue.

Merlin slid beneath me, lifting me into his lap as he leaned against the headboard of the bed, and magic tingled at his fingertips. His cock pushed at my entrance, and the kisses he peppered across my shoulders had me relaxing enough to let him in. Finally, Lancelot positioned himself between my thighs, the tip of his cock brushing against my wet heat. "Are you ready for us, little faerie?”

I nodded, my body trembling with need. Completely in sync, they slowly pushed inside, stretching and filling me exquisitely. I gasped at the delicious fullness, my back arching off the bed. Lancelot groaned and cursed, his whole body shuddering as his eyes rolled back in his head.

They fucked me together, moving both too slow and too fast at the same time. It was too much and not enough. I writhed as cruses dripped from my lips. Galahad and Percy took turns strumming my clit.

Then, Lancelot pulled free, and I nearly whined, but he was replaced with Galahad, thrusting himself to the hilt. My hips moved on their own, seeking out more, more, more. Lancelot moved to kneel by my head, sinking his fingers into my hair and turning my face in the opposite direction. “Suck him,” he ordered, his voice a guttural rasp.

Gawain was kneeling on my other side, and I wasted no time swallowing his throbbing cock. He groaned, his fingers tangling in my hair. Galahad and Merlin continued thrusting into me, their cocks sliding against each other inside me. The dual sensation was exquisite, the pleasure building higher and higher.

They took turns fucking me in every position imaginable. At one point, I was on my hands and knees, Lancelot pounding into me from behind while I sucked Merlin's cock. Percy’s shadows bound my wrists, holding me in place.

Wave after wave of pleasure crashed over me as they brought me to climax again and again. My cries of ecstasy echoed off the stone walls. As the night wore on, their touches grew more urgent, more possessive. There wasn’t a spot on my body that hadn’t been kissed, licked, or fucked.

My body glistened with sweat, flushed and trembling from countless orgasms. But still, they weren't done with me.

"On your knees," Tristan growled, his eyes blazing. I was helpless to resist a direct command from my mate. My body was moving before I was aware of it.

They positioned me in the middle of the bed, surrounding me on all sides. I was caged in, helpless and at their mercy. But I trusted these men with my life. With my soul.

Tristan knelt behind me, his cock nudging at my entrance. Gawain and Lancelot flanked me on either side while Galahad and Percival knelt before me. Merlin stood at the edge of the bed, his blue eyes glowing with arcane power.

"Are you ready to be claimed?" Tristan purred in my ear.

I nodded, utterly beyond words at this point. In one smooth thrust, he buried himself to the hilt inside me. I cried out at the exquisite fullness, my inner walls clenching around him. The others pressed close, their hands roaming my sweat-slicked skin. Gawain's frost-kissed fingers teased my nipples while Lancelot's fiery touch branded my hips.

Tristan set a punishing pace, each thrust pushing me higher. The others' touches grew more urgent, more possessive.

"Now," Tristan growled.

In perfect synchronization, they each leaned in. Sharp fangs pricked my skin as they bit down. Tristan at the nape of my neck, Gawain and Lancelot on either side of my throat, Galahad and Percival each claiming a breast.

At the same moment, Merlin grasped both my hands in his. Golden light flared between our palms as an intricate runic pattern etched itself into our skin.

The simultaneous sensations of pain and pleasure pushed me over the edge. Wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over me as the most intense orgasm of my life rocked through me. I screamed my release, my inner walls clenching rhythmically around Tristan's cock.

My climax triggered Tristan's, and he roared as he spilled himself inside me. One by one, the others followed, their seed painting my skin as they marked me as theirs. Blood dripped from my wounds, but my magic healed them over immediately. One by one, their teeth left my skin, each of them moaning as they fisted their cocks.

As the last tremors subsided, we collapsed together in a tangle of sweat-slicked limbs. Their arms encircled me, holding me close as we caught our breath. Sensation after sensation washed over me, feelings, wants, needs—all not my own.

I could feel my men at a bone deep level. Merlin too. Some ancient part of my bloodline woke up and accepted his. He was my mate as much as my knights were. As if all seven of us were merged into one.

Merlin's thumb stroked my palm, sending tingles up my arm. His azure eyes met mine, filled with awe and reverence. "You’ve always been my queen," he whispered. "My fucking heart. To the bitter end."

“To the bitter end,” I rasped.

Tristan nuzzled my neck. "Bound for eternity."

Lancelot pressed a kiss to my shoulder. "No force in this realm or any other can tear us apart. I was wrong about everything, and I take it all back. I love you, Arthur."

Gawain's fingers traced patterns on my skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "You are ours," he growled possessively. "As we are yours."

Percival's shadows climbed higher and higher until they draped like curtains over the entirety of the bed, bathing us in shadows. "There’s no turning back now, little faerie. I’ll follow you into the dark forever."

Galahad's gentle touch soothed the ache of the bite on my breast, and his chest rumbled like a cat purring in pleasure. "Always and forever."

I wanted to burst. To sob, to laugh, to fucking scream. I wanted to run through the streets of Camelot and declare in front of the gods themselves that these men were mine and I was theirs.

We’d rule Camelot side by side. One queen and her six kings.

“Always and forever,” I echoed, my heart full for the first time in my life.

Merlin

I stood at Arthur's side as she ascended the steps to the throne where Uther Pendragon once sat, her crimson gown trailing behind her like liquid fire. The great hall of Camelot was packed to the brim, a sea of faces both human and fae gazing up at their new queen with a mixture of awe and fear, both at the queen and the golden relic that awaited her.

The air thrummed with magic, ancient power awakening after centuries of slumber. Motes of golden light danced through the air, swirling around Arthur as she took her place before the throne. Her chestnut hair was sleek and silky, a waterfall down her back. The circlet that once belonged to her mother crowned her head. She looked every bit the faerie queen she was about to become.

I couldn't take my fucking eyes off her. Visions of running my tongue along her soft skin played through my mind—the passion, the claiming, the binding of our souls. Even now, I sensed her presence like a warm ember in my chest, our connection humming with life and power.

The Archdruid of the old religion stepped forward, his ageless face serene as he presented the Holy Grail. Gaius stood to the right of him, a proud smile on his face. The golden cup gleamed in the light, seeming to pulse with its own inner radiance. Arthur's hands were steady as she took it and turned to face the room, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. I gave her a small nod of encouragement.

"People of Albion," Arthur's voice rang out, clear and strong. "Today marks the dawn of a new era. No longer shall we be divided—human and fae, Seelie and Unseelie. We are one people, united under many rulers and many gods."

A hush fell over the crowd as Arthur brought the golden cup to her lips. The air itself seemed to hold its breath as she drank deeply from the Grail. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a soft golden glow began to emanate from her skin, growing brighter with each passing second.

Arthur's eyes flew open, blazing with inner fire. She gasped, her back arching as waves of power visibly coursed through her body. Her wings burst forth in a shower of crystalline light, unfurling to their full majestic span. The crowd gasped and murmured, shifting on their feet.

When the light faded, Arthur stood transformed. Her skin shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, her eyes now swirling pools of molten gold. The power of the Grail had changed her, elevating her to something beyond mortal or fae. She was truly magnificent. Golden runes shone from beneath her skin, in a language even I couldn’t read. The language of the old gods themselves.

Arthur's words, when she spoke again, resonated with layers and layers of godly voices. "I, Arthur Pendragon, do solemnly swear to protect and serve all the peoples of Albion and Avalon, human, fae, and all realm’s beings.”

"As your high queen, I have chosen to take not one, but six consorts to rule at my side." A ripple of murmurs and gasps swept through the crowd. "These males have proven their loyalty, courage, and love time and time again. They will serve as my king consorts, helping to bridge the divide between human and fae."

My heart shot to my throat. King consorts…It was happening. My body felt both light and heavy at once.

"Sir Gawain of the Seelie Court."

Gawain strode confidently to Arthur's side, his steel-gray eyes twinkling with mischief. Frost crystals shimmered in his dark hair as he knelt before our queen.

"Sir Lancelot of the Seelie Court."

Lancelot's golden hair gleamed in the light as he took his place beside Gawain. The fire in his eyes matched the passion I knew burned in his heart for Arthur. The love he fought so long against.

"Sir Galahad of the Seelie Court."

Galahad let out a whoop as he made his way forward. Arthur’s lips twitched as the big man knelt.

"Sir Percival of the Unseelie Court."

Percy stepped forward as a hush descended over the room. Percy—cousin of the male who started it all. Redeemer of his family name.

“Sir Tristan of the Unseelie Court.”

Tristan glided forward, his silver hair shimmering in the light. As he took his place beside the others.

Arthur's eyes met mine. My heart raced as she called out the final name.

“Sir Merlin of Camelot.”

My heart stuttered in my chest, and I had to blink several times. Had I heard her correctly? But as the crowd's eyes turned to me expectantly, I realized this was no mistake. On shaky legs, I made my way forward.

As I approached, Arthur's lips curved into a soft smile that made my breath catch. Up close, her transformation was even more breathtaking. She was a fucking goddess.

I sank to one knee before her, my head bowed. “My queen,” I murmured, my voice trembling.

With a graceful motion, she drew Excalibur from the altar beside her golden throne, the blade shimmering with an otherworldly glow. She placed the flat of the radiant sword on my right shoulder, then slowly shifted it to the other side. “Rise, Sir Merlin. From this day forth, you’ll be known as Sir Merlin, Knight of the Round Table, and king consort to the High Queen.”

Her gaze lifted, taking in the six of us. In that moment, a surge of magic flowed through the bond that connected us all—a power I’d never known could be so overwhelming. Alongside that rush came an intense wave of devotion, solidifying as the Grail’s energy transferred from her to us.

“And rise, my mates. My kings.”