Knight Fallen (The Return of the Queen Book 3) by L.A. Grant

Author:L.A. Grant [Grant, L.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-03T16:00:00+00:00

18

Percy

Wane had slipped in bed with Arlena, holding her as she fell asleep. I badly wanted to join them, to sleep beside her, finding comfort in her warmth and slow, steady breath.

But I closed the door, giving them their space. The witches had given us two bedrooms, which proved a generous offering, especially since Hayden and Lance seemed to be intent on sleeping outside.

I ignored the jealous pang in my chest. I had no right to jealousy.

My restless feet brought me back to the living room, looking for some space to think. Mishta sat, knitting as a radio played soft music.

Witches.

“Feel free to join me,” she said, smiling at me. “I don’t sleep much these days.”

“Sorry to hear that,” I said, sitting down in a wingback chair, mostly because I had no idea how to politely escape this predicament. It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to be.

“It’s not a bad thing,” she said, “means I can stay up and hear the cries of the wolf at night.”

My head shot up and I looked at her. She continued focusing on her knitting, complicated stitches forming a flower-patterned scarf.

Did she know I could shift into a wolf? How had she known? I hadn’t said anything and certainly hadn’t shifted…

What’s holding you back is you. Arlena’s words came back to my mind. I hated to admit it, but I hadn’t given them much consideration. Maybe because she’d then made me see stars with the attention she’d paid my cock. Or maybe I didn’t heed her words because she wasn’t Arthur.

Fuck.

The others had accepted her for who and what she was, but I still fought back against it. Why would I do that? Was it because I wanted things to be exactly as they’d been? Or was I really one of those guys who didn’t believe girls could lead, too?

I searched my heart, really looked, as jazz music gently filtered from the radio, and decided that wasn’t it. I’d seen her in action tonight, and she could lead effectively. As damn effectively as any man.

So, what was it? Why couldn’t I shift? I believed that Arlena was Arthur. The way she’d spoken her name earlier today had been full of pride and certainly. Just like Arthur’s had always been.

I focused on Mishta’s yarn, which she shifted easily from needle to needle, forming a pattern only she could see in her mind’s eye.

I couldn’t see the future, but I could see the past. When we’d first found Arlena, we’d rescued her. She’d needed us. She’s relied on us.

And she still did. But not as she’d once done. I couldn’t protect her like I had before. She could take care of herself, yet she never once made me feel like she didn’t want me here. Which was really more powerful.

I let Arthur die.

The thought came into my mind, unbidden and unwelcome, and my vision blurred. Part of me was still trapped on the battlefield, centuries ago. Watching Arthur die, powerless to save him.

I took a slow, deep breath, trying to slow down my galloping heart.

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