Page 76 of Kings and Monsters

"Have you thought about my offer, Rosa?" he asked her.

"Yes," Rosa said politely, "and while Bal lives, I won't join the Hunt."

"I told you he would be welcome as he is. That is more than anyone else in this human world will offer him," Gwyn argued. "You are suffering, Rosa. Let me take it from you."

"Suffering is character building, isn't it, Rhosyn?" Merlin interrupted. "Besides, we Seren Dus still have a few tricks up our sleeves when it comes to spell breaking."

"If that were the case, I would like to think you would have used them by now." Gwyn smiled unpleasantly. "But it's Rosa's choice if she wishes to stay as your failure continues to drag out."

Rosa fixed her tired hazel eyes on Merlin as if searching for the lie inside of him. He gave her a confident smile that he hoped said to her,I have tricks. I'm a Wylt remember?

"For the time being, the bargain holds, Gwyn," she said with a sigh. "I won't join you until Balthasar is dead. I am sorry."

Gwyn gave her a deep bow. "I understand,geneth. As you will not be joining me, our business tonight is done."

"One moment, Gwyn. I'd like a short word," Merlin said, giving Arthur a meaningful look. "I will catch up with you. I don't want you all to see me make an apology. It will make you think I'm prepared to give them out easily."

"Come along, Rosa, let's leave him to grovel," Arthur laughed, taking one of her arms, and Nimue fell into step beside them. "I'm sure there is a decent pub around here somewhere."

"Goodbye, Gwyn," Rosa said softly before turning back towards the lights of the town.

Gwyn folded his powerful arms with an air of satisfaction. "So you have some of your honor left at least. I am ready to hear this apology, Merlin Wylt."

Merlin took out his tobacco pouch and began to roll a cigarette. "Yeah, about that. This isn't going to be so much of an apology as a threat."

"You are bold to threaten me in this place, considering all the damage you have done," Gwyn hissed, shadows darkening around him.

"I'm glad you mention damage, so let's talk about yours, shall we?" Merlin lit his cigarette and inhaled deeply. "How about the emotional pain you are causing Rosa right now, knowing that you could save the man she loves and yet refusing to?"

"Tread carefully, magician. It is a hefty accusation you are making."

"Oh, cut the shit, Gwyn. The magic that binds him has the stink of the Hunt all over it," Merlin said unflinchingly."Is it some clever trick that you might have shown Aeronwen perhaps? Don't worry. You don't need to admit it. Iknow. I was at the back of retinue during my stay with your merry band of dead fuckers, and Isawthe monsters even if you held a glamour over them so Rosa didn't. If you purposely withhold your assistance because you hope to win her affections once Balthasar's dead, I can promise you that it won't end well for you. You will have another enemy to contend with …and believe me, I'll stop at nothing to destroy you. God or no god."

"I'm not afraid of your threats."

Merlin smiled viciously. "You should be. If you don't help Balthasar, I will make what I did to Glastonbury look like a fucking boring afternoon. Oh, and I will tell Rosa. There will be no way she will ever join your Hunt then."

"We made a bargain that can't be broken," Gwyn declared. "Even you can't undo do such a thing."

"Ask around. I've broken loads of deals with gods before. Take too long, and I'll do it anyway whether you help Bal out or not." Merlin turned his back on him and started to walk down the hill. "See you around, Gwyn."

Merlin found Rosa, Nimue, and Arthur crammed into a booth atThe Lancelot, tall pints sitting in front of them. Rosa was explaining the history of the French Lancelot to Arthur who was looking outraged.

"Ah, here he is. I told you Gwyn wouldn't kill him," Nimue said, her mouth was smiling, but her blue eyes were filled with worry.

Merlin slid in beside her and drained her pint. "I was very convincing with my apology. I'm going to need another six of these to celebrate."

"You can drink at the mansion. I've already been away for too long," Rosa said, shredding a napkin between her fingers.

Merlin took Arthur's pint and downed it before admitting, "We can't go home."

Rosa's fingers stilled. "What did you say?"

"We can't go back to Gwaed Lyn. Bleddyn would've set the wards to keep us out by now." The words were barely out of his mouth before Rosa fled the bar. Merlin ran after her, knocking people out of the way.

"Stop, Rhosyn! Listen to me!" he called, but she didn't stop until she reached the place where the backdoor in the ley line used to be. He could feel the strong pull of her magic as she tried to summon it over and over again.

"What the fuck did you do, Merlin?" Rosa demanded, grabbing him by the front of his jacket.

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