Page 36 of Lady of the Lake

Torchlight glides over his pale skin. “So. You’ve met with the weakling Sir Kay and the rest of the knights. You know, it seemed to me they were wary of you. Didn’t seem particularly interested in sharing their plans, did they?”

“It’s just for security reasons,” I say tersely. “They don’t want the agents involved to know all the details in case someone gets arrested and interrogated.”

“Of course. Just for security reasons.” Amusement pulses in his eyes. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

My heart flutters. “Why? Do you know anything?”

“I’m interested in whatyouthink, Nia. Why do you really think they decided not to give you the exact details of the mission?”

I need to know what he knows. But Mordred’s help comes with a price. “I think they no longer completely trust me because I married Talan. They suspect my loyalties are compromised, and some of them will never trust anyone part Fey.”

“Yes.” Mordred nods. “And they’re right, in a way, aren’t they? After all, you’re here. Talking to me, the man who stormed into Camelot to murder their king. They do have a point, really.”

My jaw tightens. “I did what I had to.”

“There’s that sentence again.I did what I had to. Such a pithy justification for doing whatever you want.” He arches an eyebrow. “You always act as if your hand is forced by fate. Own your decisions. You did what youwantedto, daughter, as you should have. You don’t answer to fate or those idiots in Avalon Tower. You are better than they are. You are a princess of the house of Morgan, heir to the true Fey throne. And you answer to no one but yourself. Do not feel guilty for what you are or what you do.”

“You listen to their conversations. Do you think it’s true that they don’t trust me?”

“That pretty silver-eyed man would follow you blindly to the moon and back.” A smile curls his lips. “The same goes for your close friends. But that Amon fellow—he’s shrewd. I heard him tell that wizened old man, Sir Kay, that it’s better if some of the mission details remain secret from you, just to make sure.Of course, the Pendragons wouldn’t trust you to make their porridge, but that’s nothing new.”

So, Amon doesn’t trust me anymore. And in all probability, neither does Sir Kay.

“It’s a fake alliance with Talan,” I say, more to myself then to him. “They don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Whatever you say, princess.” His eyes gleam wickedly. “The important thing is that once we take down Avalon Tower, our golden age will return once more!” His voice echoes off the high ceiling.

“Right,” I say hollowly. My misty breath clouds around my face.

I do what I have to do.

I need to end this alliance, this bargain we made long ago. I need to kill Mordred. Break into his mind, disable him—a blade to the throat to end it all. My fingers itch to grab my hidden dagger.

This moment has been long coming, and he has no more leverage on me. Surely he understands that. In fact, I’m surprised he didn’t trick me into another Hemlock Oath. It seems out of character for him not to demand a pledge to fulfill my bargain. I swore not to tell anyone about him. I never promised I’d do what he wanted beyond that.

His golden eyes shine in the torchlight, mournful.

Something catches the corner of my eye. The flickering candles, the moonlight gleaming over the crystal goblets on the table. As my gaze sweeps over the old banquet, I feel like my chest is cracking open. This man has been waiting centuries for the party he planned with his mother. And right now, I’m reminded of a little boy waiting at a birthday table for a party no one attended. Somewhere deep down, I sense how much he misses his mom. This was something he planned forher.

Fuck.

And more than that, he saved my life, and probably my friends’ lives. He got Raphael back.

And really…he’s a better parent than Mom.

My eyes mist over. “Mordred, I don’t think I can help you do what you want to do.”

He raises an eyebrow in surprise. “Oh?”

“Humans need Avalon Tower right now. If you destroy it, humanity is doomed.”

His gaze narrows. “Then why are you telling me this, Nia? Have I taught younothing? Why would you show your hand so clearly? You didn’t eventryto kill me.”

“I thought about it.”

He shrugs. “Well, that’s something.”

“YouknewI was going to break my deal with you, didn’t you?”

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