Goddess of Legend

“You have no idea,” Harry said, before oomphing at Isabel’s elbow to his belly. “But let us go.”

“Then so we shall.”

Isabel, still reeling from the knowledge that Arthur had a son, and that his son was a total jerk, felt a little impatient. She lifted her skirts and yelled, “Catch me if you can!” and made a run for it.

They both ran after her; however, neither was as fast.

James and Harry did not catch the countess until she was facing Mordred in the stables. And she was already speaking her piece. She held out her arms to hold them from stepping forward.

“What brings you here, sir?” she asked Mordred. “What business do you have in Camelot?”

“Who are you to even presume to ask my intentions?”

Isabel studied him. There was no doubt he was Arthur’s son. They looked alike in so many ways, including the deep green eyes. The difference being Arthur’s eyes were so filled with kindness and laughter, whereas Mordred’s emanated venom. “I am Isabel, Countess of Dumont. And a friend of the king. Apparently, you are not. So I ask again, what brings you here?”

Mordred made a mockery of a bow. “How do you do? However, Countess, my business here is none of yours. Has my father stooped so low as to have need of a mere woman to come riding to his defense?”

“A mere woman? Listen, you little shit—”

“No, you listen, Countess,” he spat out. “I am heir to this kingdom, and have every reason and right to travel to Camelot to oversee my future holdings.”

“The king is quite healthy. I believe he will remain so for many years to come. So don’t count your cows before they . . . breed.”

Wow, that was lame, but the best she could come up with on the spur of the moment.

Mordred’s eyes went wide for a moment, and then he broke out in nasty laughter. “If you have not been fully informed, mistress, my father already has a wife. One quite younger than you. I see his interest, as you are fetching; however, you will never take her place as queen. Unless you plot to murder her.”

James and Harry each grabbed one of her arms, apparently hoping to ward off her jumping forward and scratching the bastard’s eyes out. There was no need. She had no intention of launching herself at the boy.

She knew her breasts were heaving with fury, especially when Mordred’s eyes leveled on them and couldn’t seem to let go. Then she realized his gaze was fixed on her necklace.

She took a calming breath. “Please tell me again why you have come to Camelot.”

“I have learned there will be a very important knights-of-the-realm gathering here shortly. I need to be sitting at that table.” Mordred blinked several times, obviously a little confused about why he’d given up that piece of information.

“Were you invited to this meeting?” Isabel asked. “Are you a knight?”

“Of course I was not,” Mordred said, finally breaking his gaze from her necklace. “My father didn’t deem me high enough in the order to invite me. He is a pig.”

This time James and Harry had to hold her back. She most definitely wanted to scratch his face, no matter what it did to her nails.

“How dare you? Your father loves you. Why is it that you find pleasure in bringing him pain?”

Mordred stepped closer and closer to Isabel, swapping his crop on his thigh. “You know nothing, lady. Including how a proper woman dresses. Are you his tart this evening? Are you going to give birth to his next bastard child?”

“What are you going to do, Mordred?” Isabel asked. “Whip an unarmed woman?”

James tried to step between them. “She is a countess, Mordred. Back away.”

Mordred sneered. “She is a slut, as is my father’s wife.”

“Back off, James,” Isabel said.

“I cannot, Countess. The king has asked me to protect you.”

“Back off. This little snot has just smeared the queen’s name.”

“M’lady!”

“Back off. I demand it.”

James backed away, although Isabel guessed he was worrying about his future. Not a problem; she’d make certain he was rewarded for his actions.

Mordred grinned and moved even closer.

Thank the gods for Tae Kwon Do. Isabel kicked the damn crop out of his hand, turned and jumped, kicking him in the belly, and had him on the ground, his hands bound with reins, within seconds. “Sorry, son, time to answer to your dad,” she whispered into his ear. “He would never have let me get ahead of him. You, on the other hand, are just slow and stupid.”

“You will pay for this,” Mordred said.

“I’m sure I will. Your father loves you so much he will be very angry with me. Tough fucking shit. It felt too good, you little worm.”

“Bitch,” he spat out.

Her knee dug farther into his back. “Excuse me? I’m sorry, I believe you meant to say, ‘My apologies, Countess.’”

“Apologize to the countess, son.”

Isabel’s head jerked up, and sure enough, there was Arthur, appearing pained and amused at one and the same time.

She attempted to rise gracefully, but that wasn’t about to happen. Harry took her hand and helped her up. “I am very sorry, Arthur, but he kind of pissed me off.”

Arthur moved forward and brushed hay from her clothing. “’Tis a talent of his.” Then he helped his son to his feet. “Welcome home, Mordred!”

“SHOULD you care about me at all, father, you will have that woman brought before the King’s Court.”

Arthur sat on his throne, his head being held up by a forefinger. “Because she bested you when you attempted to whip her? I think not.”

“You disagree that she deserves a beating?”

Arthur stared at Mordred, wondering how he had gone so terribly wrong as a father. “No woman deserves a beating, Mordred. Never. They are to be cherished.”

Mordred laughed. “As you cherished my mother?”

“Your mother said nothing to me, son. No matter what your aunt might have told you, I knew naught of your existence until I asked of her well-being. I know it was too long, Mordred, but she never, ever told me. It never occurred to me. That is my fault, I admit. But once I learned of her death and your birth, I tried, son, I truly tried.”

“So you have said.” Mordred stood and paced, and Arthur almost laughed at how much this resembled his own actions.

But Mordred’s anger still hung to him as dung to a bull. And smelled as poorly. “So you will choose the bitch over your own son?”

Arthur rose quickly, attempting to quell his fierce anger. “First, my son, there is no choice. Countess Isabel bested you this eve, and that is between the two of you. However, should you attempt revenge, I will most definitely come to her defense, for she has done nothing against you. In fact, her man tended to your horse. This after you planned an assault on his lady. Should you even attempt to show vengeance, I must act.”

“So, one more time, you choose a woman over your son.”

“I choose caring over spite. I wish one day you will understand the same.”

“When, Father, did you choose your bastard son over your kingdom?”

When, son, did your mother choose not to inform me that she was carrying my child?

Once again, Arthur had no idea where this thought had appeared from. But he had to admit it was a fairly good one. “Your mother chose not to inform me she had my babe inside her. I was given no choice in the matter.”