Page 4 of Kings and Monsters

"We haven't exactly had the time to talk family history since she was turned," he answered stiffly. "And Rosa doesn't scare easily."

"Family history wasn't a pressing matter compared to new magic and the Autumn Queen stirring trouble," Rosa added. She didn't say how cool the names sounded, and despite wishing Balthasar were there, she was excited to be seeing the Unseelie Kingdom. She looked at Eli and wondered what Eirianwen was so afraid of.

Arthur finally gotEirianwen to relax into a conversation. Since their encounter that morning, Rosa was steering clear of the Unseelie warrior, preferring to remain by Eli's side at the back of the group. Saving her from a selkie hadn't wiped their conversation from her mind.

What would happen to Eli when they crossed over into Unseelie lands?Eirianwen had made it sound like he would turn into a stranger.

Rosa's thoughts were broken by Arthur's raucous laughter in front of her. He was walking with Eirianwen, and was pointing at things, asking questions, and it seemed to be wearing down her perpetual frown.

"Unbelievable. She has a facial expression that isn't a glower," Rosa murmured.

"There's nothing unbelievable about it," Merlin said, falling into step beside her. "Arthur's always been like that. Why do you think he made such a good king? He could get anyone to talk to him, the likable bastard."

"He isn't a Seren Du, and we all are. It's enough to make her wary of us. He's an outsider, so she's able to trust him," Eli pointed out.

"You leave a lasting impression on all the women you encounter, it would seem. The queen's been at war with you forever because you wouldn't shag her, and Eirianwen hates your guts because you never knew she lived. Faerie women are freaking crazy." Rosa shook her head. She had meant it as a joke, but Eli's frown deepened. He had planned to kill the Autumn Queen at their last encounter, and if he hadn't hesitated, they wouldn't be in the situation they were in now.

"It's because we are so charming and good-looking, the ladies can never get enough of all of this," Merlin said, preening dramatically.

"I can tell by the way they all want to kill you."

Merlin grinned. "Poor losers, Rhosyn. We'll have this conversation in a thousand years, and we'll see how many people want to kill you because you spurned their advances."

Rosa was saved from having to reply as Arthur's red curls bounced back down the trail to them. Even dressed in modern clothing, there was something in his movements and the way he held himself that spoke of a warrior. The huge, ridiculously famous sword at his hip didn't even look out of place.

"You dawdlers had better put some motivation into those legs of yours. The Lady Eirianwen says we aren't too far from a crossing and that we need to stay together in case of slavers," he relayed. His easy tone didn't match the way his slate blue eyes were looking at the gloom and trees around them.

"Slavers," Eli murmured, his tone cold enough to make the hair on Rosa's arms stand up.

"Apparently, the queen's men like to grab Unseelie from these areas for her dungeons," Arthur continued. "Eirianwen is worried that they've found the Night Court in her absence. Wehad best be looking for Seelie traps from now on, Bleddyn. She's already cleared a few ahead of us."

"What? Why is she doing it alone? She should've said something," Eli growled.

"I think you'll find that she is doing her duty and trying to protect her king and his family," Arthur replied slowly, knowing his words weren't going to be well received. Eli cursed and pushed past them, hurrying to catch up with Eirianwen.

"He's a lot slower than I remember, the ass." Arthur shook his head.

"Deryn's not around to knock sense into him. He can't see as straight because of the guilt where Eirianwen is concerned," Merlin said. "What's the matter, Rhosyn?"

Rosa gripped the hilt of her sword, her magic twisting around the fingers of her other hand in the rose-colored light.

"There's something wrong… I don't know." She looked around, scanning the trees. "Can't you feel it? It's like energy in the air, a darkness, and a…"

"Waiting." Merlin moved behind her while Arthur moved in front.

"I don't need protecting," she hissed while drawing her sword.

"It's not about needing protection, Lady Rosa. It's about being in the best defensive position if we are attacked by something," Arthur assured.

The tension broke as Merlin snorted with amusement. "Lady Rosa, that's never going to get old."

"Shut up." Rosa flipped him off over her right shoulder.

"Ignore him," Arthur advised. "Just because he's lost his manners in the past fifteen hundred years doesn't mean I have."

A snap and lick of power made Rosa's ears pop and left the taste of red berries and autumn leaves in her mouth.

"They must've found a big one," Merlin gagged. "The Autumn Queen isn't going to be happy about that."

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