The Once and Future Queen: Guinevere Reimagined by Parker J Cole

Author:Parker J Cole
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2022-04-22T04:00:00+00:00

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Gwenhwyfar listened to Lonceta’s low hum as she finished tending to the various bruises and cuts she received from her fight with Arthur. She tilted her head to see if she could hear anything, but besides the low murmur of voices, she couldn’t make out the words.

What were they going to do about this situation?

“Lonceta?”

“Aye, my lady?”

Lonceta had taken care of her for as long as she could remember. Gwenhwyfar was grateful to her.

“What I am about to say is going to surprise you.”

Lonceta gave a slight smile. “I’m sure nothing you can say will surprise me, my lady. I am used to you.”

Gwenhwyfar grimaced. “I’m sure.”

“Yet, go on and tell me your thoughts.”

She took in a deep breath. “For right now, you must pretend that I am Doerwine’s mistress.”

The woman’s mouth fell open. “His mistress? My lady, that is impossible.”

“You must, Lonceta.”

“That is utterly ridiculous.” Her green eyes bulged wide, so much so that Gwenhwyfar had the idea they were set to fall out.

“I know Doerwine did it to protect my identity, but for reasons best known to himself, he decided to introduce me to Lord Arthur in this way.”

“But …”

“Lonceta.” Gwenhwyfar grabbed the woman’s hands and squeezed them reassuringly. “Just for a little while. I don’t know how soon it will be before Doerwine tells the truth, but until then, we must keep up the charade. Do you understand?”

Lonceta nodded slowly. “But why?”

“I’ll be sure to ask him when I have a moment.”

By the time she reappeared before the men, she’d changed. Lonceta had taken the time to brush her hair and plait it into several braids, which she wrapped around her head in the style of a coronet. When she entered the main room, the men fell silent with three pairs of eyes assessing her.

“I did not mean to interrupt your conversation.”

“You didn’t, my lady,” Goron said as he stood. “But what man can continue to speak when his eyes behold such loveliness?”

He’d come and stood before her, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. With a swift glance at Doerwine, she waited for him to play the part of the outraged lover.

Gwenhwyfar bit back a sigh as she saw the man had lost interest and was staring off into the empty corner.

So much for a lover’s rage.

She returned her focus to Goron. Though his gray eyes held appreciation, Gwenhwyfar could not push the feeling of disgust away from her. In the past, men had gazed upon her lustfully, and she was able to ignore them. With Goron, she felt there was something deeper under the surface.

But why should she feel that way? She didn’t know the man well enough to make such a judgment. Yet, she could not shake the feeling that Goron had a hidden disposition, which, at the very least, called for caution.

With that thought in mind, she gave him a polite smile and gently pulled her hand away from his grasp. She felt his grip tighten the most when she tried to pull her hand away.

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