Page 96 of The Sword & the Stone

The simultaneous sensations of pain and pleasure pushed me over the edge. Wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over me as the most intense orgasm of my life rocked through me. I screamed my release, my inner walls clenching rhythmically around Tristan's cock.

My climax triggered Tristan's, and he roared as he spilled himself inside me. One by one, the others followed, their seed painting my skin as they marked me as theirs. Blood dripped from my wounds, but my magic healed them over immediately. One by one, their teeth left my skin, each of them moaning as they fisted their cocks.

As the last tremors subsided, we collapsed together in a tangle of sweat-slicked limbs. Their arms encircled me, holding me close as we caught our breath. Sensation after sensation washed over me, feelings, wants, needs—all not my own.

I could feel my men at a bone deep level. Merlin too. Some ancient part of my bloodline woke up and accepted his. He was my mate as much as my knights were. As if all seven of us were merged into one.

Merlin's thumb stroked my palm, sending tingles up my arm. His azure eyes met mine, filled with awe and reverence. "You’ve always been my queen," he whispered. "My fucking heart. To the bitter end."

“To the bitter end,” I rasped.

Tristan nuzzled my neck. "Bound for eternity."

Lancelot pressed a kiss to my shoulder. "No force in this realm or any other can tear us apart. I was wrong about everything, and I take it all back. I love you, Arthur."

Gawain's fingers traced patterns on my skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "You are ours," he growled possessively. "As we are yours."

Percival's shadows climbed higher and higher until they draped like curtains over the entirety of the bed, bathing us in shadows. "There’s no turning back now, little faerie. I’ll follow you into the dark forever."

Galahad's gentle touch soothed the ache of the bite on my breast, and his chest rumbled like a cat purring in pleasure. "Always and forever."

I wanted to burst. To sob, to laugh, to fucking scream. I wanted to run through the streets of Camelot and declare in front of the gods themselves that these men were mine and I was theirs.

We’d rule Camelot side by side. One queen and her six kings.

“Always and forever,” I echoed, my heart full for the first time in my life.

Merlin

I stood at Arthur's side as she ascended the steps to the throne where Uther Pendragon once sat, her crimson gown trailing behind her like liquid fire. The great hall of Camelot was packed to the brim, a sea of faces both human and fae gazing up at their new queen with a mixture of awe and fear, both at the queen and the golden relic that awaited her.

The air thrummed with magic, ancient power awakening after centuries of slumber. Motes of golden light danced through the air, swirling around Arthur as she took her place before the throne. Her chestnut hair was sleek and silky, a waterfall down her back. The circlet that once belonged to her mother crowned her head. She looked every bit the faerie queen she was about to become.

I couldn't take my fucking eyes off her. Visions of running my tongue along her soft skin played through my mind—the passion, the claiming, the binding of our souls. Even now, I sensed her presence like a warm ember in my chest, our connection humming with life and power.

The Archdruid of the old religion stepped forward, his ageless face serene as he presented the Holy Grail. Gaius stood to the right of him, a proud smile on his face. The golden cup gleamed in the light, seeming to pulse with its own inner radiance. Arthur's hands were steady as she took it and turned to face the room, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. I gave her a small nod of encouragement.

"People of Albion," Arthur's voice rang out, clear and strong. "Today marks the dawn of a new era. No longer shall we be divided—human and fae, Seelie and Unseelie. We are one people, united under many rulers and many gods."

A hush fell over the crowd as Arthur brought the golden cup to her lips. The air itself seemed to hold its breath as she drank deeply from the Grail. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a soft golden glow began to emanate from her skin, growing brighter with each passing second.

Arthur's eyes flew open, blazing with inner fire. She gasped, her back arching as waves of power visibly coursed through her body. Her wings burst forth in a shower of crystalline light, unfurling to their full majestic span. The crowd gasped and murmured, shifting on their feet.

When the light faded, Arthur stood transformed. Her skin shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, her eyes now swirling pools of molten gold. The power of the Grail had changed her, elevating her to something beyond mortal or fae. She was truly magnificent. Golden runes shone from beneath her skin, in a language even I couldn’t read. The language of the old gods themselves.

Arthur's words, when she spoke again, resonated with layers and layers of godly voices. "I, Arthur Pendragon, do solemnly swear to protect and serve all the peoples of Albion and Avalon, human, fae, and all realm’s beings.”

"As your high queen, I have chosen to take not one, but six consorts to rule at my side." A ripple of murmurs and gasps swept through the crowd. "These males have proven their loyalty, courage, and love time and time again. They will serve as my king consorts, helping to bridge the divide between human and fae."

My heart shot to my throat.King consorts…It was happening.My body felt both light and heavy at once.

"Sir Gawain of the Seelie Court."

Gawain strode confidently to Arthur's side, his steel-gray eyes twinkling with mischief. Frost crystals shimmered in his dark hair as he knelt before our queen.

"Sir Lancelot of the Seelie Court."

Lancelot's golden hair gleamed in the light as he took his place beside Gawain. The fire in his eyes matched the passion I knew burned in his heart for Arthur. The love he fought so long against.

---