𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 | 𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐍 | (𝟏)

𝒙𝒊𝒊𝒊 | 𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆 𝒅'𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓

𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞

...✵...

🐍 | 𝐑𝐀𝐉𝐍𝐈 | 🐍

I peered through the trees, my dark eyes narrowing as I watched Prince Arthur and his knights approach, their crossbows and spears raised toward the sky. A smirk curled my lips as a low growl echoed through the forest, freezing the men in their tracks. Arthur nudged his men forward, and I noted his manservant trailing behind, visibly reluctant.

"It's probably more scared of you than you are of it," Arthur reassured them.

Unlikely.

I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth as Arthur signaled half of his men to the left. The forest erupted with a deadly roar, and a beast with the head of a cobra and the body of a leopard leaped out of the shadows, landing in front of Arthur. The beast raised its head, hissing menacingly.

I stepped silently through the trees, trailing Arthur and his men as they scattered in fear. The Questing Beast obeyed me implicitly, knowing its master's command. My eyes glowed orange as I muttered an incantation, sending Merlin tumbling to the ground. A thrill of pleasure coursed through me as I saw fear wash over the young warlock's face. Arthur grabbed Merlin, hauling him up and away from the beast's striking range.

But the beast's fangs found only a knight, his scream piercing the air as the poison took hold. I emerged from the trees, lowering my black cloak, and knelt beside the dying man. The beast bowed its head in shame, unable to kill the prince.

"Don't worry," I murmured, patting the beast's head. "We'll have another chance."

"What is your reason for using the Questing Beast?" Nimueh's voice rang out behind me.

I cocked my head, watching the knight's eyes flutter closed as he succumbed to the poison. "When the prince is bitten, there will be no cure in all of Albion to save him."

"Yes," Nimueh agreed, stepping closer. "The Questing Beast is of the old religion."

I nodded, satisfaction blooming within me. "And they will come to you seeking salvation."

"Uther will not," Nimueh sighed. "But Merlin will."

"Exactly," I replied, standing to face her.

"He doesn't know the cost," Nimueh warned. "It will be like Uther all over again."

I shook my head, a cruel smile playing on my lips. "No, because Merlin will believe it will be his life for Arthur's."

"But you want it to be Carena's," Nimueh guessed.

I nodded. "If the gods choose her to live, someone else will die."

I clicked my tongue, and the Questing Beast vanished into the woods.