The Camelot Betrayal (Camelot Rising 2)

Lancelot rejoined them, barely out of breath. “They are all with Arthur.” She did not have to say who was, or why she was not. “We should get you back to the castle.”

“What is wrong?” Lily asked.

“Nothing,” Guinevere said, before Lancelot could answer. “I am tired is all. I want to go to bed.”

Dindrane curtsied and bade them good-night, unwilling to abandon the party, but Lily stayed.

“I will escort you.” Lily grasped Guinevere’s hand, helping her up and drawing her close, an arm around Guinevere’s waist both for support and comfort. There was something familiar and practiced about the movement that made Guinevere think Lily had done the same thing with her sister many times before.

It was a full moon, and with the cloudless night it was bright enough to cast shadows. The revelries had not calmed down; if anything, they were ramping up. Thankfully, Lancelot skirted the edges of the festival, keeping them out of the crowds. All the things Morgana had told Guinevere spun in her mind as they walked. Could she believe any of what Morgana had said? Should she believe all of it? Where was Arthur? What was he doing? The rock continued to cool. Guinevere clutched it so hard her fingers ached.

Lily looked around crossly. “Anna was supposed to stay with you.”

“She is gone. She left.”

“Back to the castle?”

“I hope not.” But if so, Guinevere would feel it as they got closer. She did not know how to explain it to Lily. And she was afraid this new loss would hurt her poor sister. Whatever Morgana was, Anna had been a loyal companion and protector to Lily. “Anna was not—she is not—if you see her again, tell me or a knight immediately.”

“Why?”

“It is complicated. I will explain later. She is not allowed to be in Camelot.”

Lily sighed. “It is the magic, right?”

“You knew she was doing magic?”

“Well, there was a bit of it, here and there.” Lily shrugged. “I never told Father because I knew he would make her leave. And when we found out Camelot had banished all magic, I did not tell you because I did not want her to go. I will miss her. But she said she would have to go home sooner or later. I had hoped for later.”

“Did she ever tell you about herself?”

“Only that she was a widow and had a son a few years older than me. She worried about him a lot.”

Lancelot led them through the night. Even in the darkness Guinevere could feel the intensity of Lancelot’s watchfulness as she scoured the night for a sorceress. But Guinevere did not think Morgana was anywhere near. Even Morgana would not want to face Excalibur.

Was it wrong that she hoped Morgana got away?

“Oh!” Lily stumbled, bouncing off a man who had appeared in their path. “Pardon me!”

The man stood there, a looming bulk in the darkness. Then he tipped his head and stepped out of their way. Lancelot spun toward him, but the man did not move or do anything threatening. Everything felt menacing now, though. They walked on toward the ferry, which was packed, mostly with families trying to get back to their homes for the evening. Children were crying or screaming in tantrums or already asleep in their parents’ arms. Guinevere and Lily were pushed into the middle, Lancelot at Guinevere’s side.

Guinevere leaned close, grabbing Lancelot’s arm so she would bend her head. “You will have to alert the guard as soon as we arrive, and lead a search of the castle, to be safe. I think Morgana is gone, but we have to be certain she does not get back in.” The rock was cold to the touch and not warming as they neared the city.

Lancelot’s voice trembled with rage. “I was standing right there.”

“I am sorry. I could not call to you. She had a knife, and I was under—”

“I am not angry with

you.” But her tone still made Guinevere flinch. They reached the docks at Camelot and rushed off the ferry in the midst of the press of people. Lily kept Guinevere close as they trekked up the long hill toward the castle.

Lancelot may as well have prowled in circles around them, her unease and desperation to do something about what she had learned palpable.

The rock was cold. Still, Lancelot held up one hand to keep Guinevere and Lily there until she had spoken with the guards at the gate to make certain that Morgana had not been back. Only when they confirmed it—as well as confirming that a guard was already on duty outside Guinevere’s rooms—did Lancelot allow Guinevere and Lily by. She stayed at the gate, giving instructions for the castle search and waiting for pages, who would convey the message about Anna to every guard in the castle and run it back to the festival.

Guinevere and Lily took one of the side stairways that wound around the outside of the castle, since it was a more direct route to their floors. The moon was so bright they could see each step clearly. Everything was cold light or black shadow. They paused on the landing that led to Guinevere’s and Arthur’s rooms. Guinevere was not ready to be alone, though. Or to be with Brangien and Isolde, breaking up whatever private time they were having by bringing her problems with her.

Although Morgan le Fay showing up was everyone’s problem, it felt personal in a way that was hard to articulate. If Morgana was to be believed, her masquerade as Anna had been about Guinevere alone. It was Guinevere she had spoken to, Guinevere she had been intending to leave with. Anna had never made an effort to speak to Arthur. Guinevere could not recall a single conversation between them, or Anna reacting oddly or intensely when Arthur was around. Her focus had always been on getting close to Guinevere.