My Merlin Awakening by Priya Ardis Page B

I glanced at the corridor. It remained empty. Nonetheless, I lowered my tone. “She’s the Queen! Arthur will have you drawn and quartered.”
    Vane shrugged. “Apparently I am set to die anyway. I may as well put his nose out before I do.”
    “Why do you hate him? He has only given you what you wanted.”
    Vane frowned. “Are you really that naïve? He sends the wizards out without thought, but what have we gotten in return? I might be a knight, but I am the only one. We were supposed to bring the Council out into the light by now, but they are not even acknowledged by the court. You are First Member of the Council, yet you are barely acknowledged and only as an advisor, when you make every strategy. You’re the one who brought all the nobles together under one banner. You’ve built this kingdom for him. On our blood.”
    He pointed at the corridor. “You need to remember those people out there are not yours. When are you going to realize he will never make room for our people in his kingdom? He has delayed every edict that would give our people any power. They can’t even own land. How can this be the Camelot we were promised he would bring? We will always be hiding in the shadows.”
    I shook my head. “It is not like that—the people must accept us. We need to have patience. Change comes slowly. Move too fast and you will see nothing but intolerance.”
    Vane muttered, “Platitudes without action.”
    My eyes narrowed. “What are you planning, Vane?”
    He snorted. “I have little time to plan. Apparently, I have another battle to fight today. Now, if you will pardon me, I should get to the armory before all the good swords are taken.”
    Vane tried to move past me. I caught his arm, forcing him to pause.
    “Why are you with Guinevere?”
    “I told you.”
    I searched Vane’s expression, but it told me nothing. It was one of the great frustrations of my life. I had never been able to follow my brother’s thinking. He had a mind far more devious than I could understand and it kept him one step ahead. Only the visions saved me from complete blindness. This last vision filled me with a deep sense of foreboding. “Arthur tells Guinevere everything.”
    “Does he? I wouldn’t know. We are usually quite… busy with other things.”
    I wished I could believe him. “Do you love her?”
    Vane gave a love laugh. “Love? I suppose you could call it that.” His eyes sharpened. “But then I’m not the one who gave her such a powerful charm. She never takes the amulet off. Do you like that? Do you like seeing a piece of you on her bare skin? Almost touching her bosom? In front of Arthur? Everyday?”
    I sputtered. “I-It’s nothing of that sort. Arthur asked me to make it—” I broke off when I realized he was laughing. I released him. “You’re trying to distract me.”
    “Maybe, but I’m also right. I see how closely you watch her,” he said. “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything to Arthur. I know you’re a monk.” With a crooked smile, Vane sauntered down the passageway. “Farewell, brother. We shall see if today is a good day for me to die. Who knows? You may yet get lucky.”
    ***
    At six a.m., my cellphone beeped in low tones. Darkness still layered the room. Vestiges of the dream lingered in my mind. The funny thing was that it didn’t seem like a dream. Matt. Vane. The sights and sounds of a busy castle. The subtle pattern of the tapestry. I remembered all the details. I could have been there. I could have stood within Camelot.
    Making as little noise as possible, I gathered my coat and boots. Vane had put the car keys on the kitchen bar. I grabbed them and tiptoed out of the apartment. I pulled the boots on in the hall outside. It took me another two minutes to get to the SUV, only to find Vane standing by the car.
    “I’m going to this meeting,” I told him.
    Vane didn’t reply. The breaking light of dawn bolded the gold tones in his hair. The slim-fitting wool coat he wore