Kings and Monsters by Amy Kuivalainen

Author:Amy Kuivalainen [Kuivalainen, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

Merlin watched helplessly as Rosa followed Gwyn into a cave in the mountainside. He took a step forward when Arthur grabbed him by the bicep.

"Don't do it, Merlin. This isn't the time to pick a fight," Arthur warned in a tense whisper. The warriors around them had all moved their hands to their weapons as if sensing Merlin had every intention of going after their god.

"I can't just leave her in there alone."

"Yes, you can. Rosa is Bleddyn's child as much as you are. Just because she doesn't have a dick doesn't mean she can't handle Gwyn on her own," Arthur said. "You remember that time we sent Gwenhwyfar to treat with the Saxon King? Same thing."

"It is not! Gwen was dealing with a mortal, and Rosa is stuck with a god. A promiscuous god of hunting, fighting, and fucking, to be precise."

Arthur sat him down in front of a fire. "Rosa isn't exactly human either, Merlin. I know you want to protect her, but acting like an overprotective male makes you⁠—"

"Don't you say it, Pendragon⁠—"

"It makes you Bleddyn. Even he had enough sense not to try and stop her from coming."

"Only because he thought I would protect her!"

"Wake up, you daft prick. She doesn't need your protection. If you hadn't noticed, you have enough to worry about."

"I can't lose her like I lost Nimue!" Merlin exploded, his indifferent facade finally breaking.

Arthur placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You didn't lose her. From what you told me, she was taken. There is a difference. She survived the queen for hundreds of years. What makes you think she can't do it again?"

"She shouldn't have to! She's only caught up in this again because I wasn't strong enough to send her away from Gwaed Lyn when she first arrived. Even when I still hated her, I couldn't let her go because I'm a cruel, selfish bastard." Merlin dragged his hands through his tangled curls. Arthur was looking at him as if he'd never seen him before.

"There are times since I've woken where you are so different to how you used to be, and then you are the same chaotic man I knew," Arthur sighed. His grey eyes ran over his face. "I'm starting to think I never really knew you at all. Merlin in love… Who'd have even thought it was possible."

"Don't give me that. You saw me in love with Morgan."

"Love isn't what you two had," Arthur grunted. "You two used each other to patch over old pain. It's not the same thing. By the end, it was a twisted thing, and I knew there would be violence. You aren't like that with Nimue. I know it, even without meeting her."

Merlin snorted. "Whatever you say, Pendragon. Don't you have better things to focus on instead of analyzing my moods?"

"Better things such as how all of these dead ones look like they are getting ready to skin you alive?" Arthur had a hand casually resting on top of the hilt of Excalibur, as if he were waiting for them to pounce.

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