Mordred kisses the nape of my neck as I rest in his wrinkled bed sheet.

"Do you think about him?" He whispers.

"What a baseless accusation" I smile shamelessly. Of course I thought about Arthur. I've been in Mordred's sheets for two weeks unbending. I enjoyed my time with him but I did miss Arthur and worried about his whereabouts. Something in my spirit had been unsettled and I didn't know why.

"I see it in your eyes. You miss him."

"You should be a doctor of science Mordred" I teased.

He grabs my jaw, forcing me to stare into his orbs. My breath hitched as he watches me.
"I love you Oshun. And I won't let anyone get in my way"

"Even a king?"

"A king has no title in my world" he warns. I pull my curly hair back and smirk, sitting up to stretch. "And who says I love you Sir Mordred?" I bent down to pick up my dress and stand to leave. He prohibits my departure and pulls me in around my waist, lifting me into his arms.

We stare at each other, eager to kiss again before a trumpet sounds in the distance.

I drop from his arms run to the small window in the corner of his room.

"It's the kings men. The knights? They're back" my heart raced as I thought of Arthur's return. He was back! But the sound of the trumpet? That was not good news.

"When can I see you again?" He whispers.

"I dont know? Ask the King" I smirk, finding my way to the door. I felt bad for using him to fill my energy and selfish needs, but besides that, I mean? I did g know where to place my feelings for him. It was still to early.

"Good bye Mordred" I whisper before running to meet the knights.

——-

"Gawain! It's so good to see you!
Lancelot!" I hugged them both. Guinevere smiled and greeted the men, searching for Arthur amongst the men. I guess our minds were similar in this instance because I was doing the same.

Gawain slowly led me away and held both my hands. "Where's Arthur?" I smile cautiously, tiptoeing over his shoulder to look. He looked into my eyes and frowned.
I saw Lancelot whispering something to Guinevere. "NO!" She screamed with tears welling up in her eyes. "IT CANT BE!"

Lancelot tried to hold her back as she tried to break free.

"Gawain? What..." I looked as confused as Guinevere. Gawain stood silent, staring at me with remorse.

"Oshun...its Arthur...." My heart froze as I heard his words.

"Where...is he?" I try to think clearly.

"He tried to fight the dragon and he...we'll" he hesitated.

"Well? What? Is he fine? Is he alive? Where is he!?"
I tiptoe to look behind him again.

"He...well" he stuttered. I was still trying to understand the weight of his words. I wiggled my hands away, trying to break free but Gawain would not let me.

"Let me go Gawain"

"Oshun..the burns are severe...they will not even let Guinevere see him"

I push past him but am captured in Mordreds arm.

"Lady Oshun.
Please." Mordred holds me. He had just heard the news.

"LET GO! Let me see him!" I whisper, trying not to make a scene. I push him off, gathering my dress and running back to the castle to find him.

———

"Guinevere is by infirmary door, wailing like a madman" I ignore her and push past her, running into the room. Four doctors where on his side bed,bandaging his face and hands.
He looked horrible.
His legs were scared and his arms charred to a crisp.
I lost my breath when I laid eyes in his face.

It was...unrecognizable. He was unrecognizable.

Guinevere's wails we're quite annoying. I knew seeing something like this was scarring but wailing and screaming would do nothing.

"Lancelot! Gawain! Please!" I beg them. They  understand my cue and led her away.

I knew what my job entailed once I took the place of Merlin. I need to do this.

"Get out. Everyone" I announce. Mordred still lingers in the room, deciphering what I would do.

The nurses and doctors looked at me, hesitant to depart.

"NOW!" Mordred banged against the wall. They snapped up and collected their materials before exiting the room.

Mordred nodded at me, one last time  before closing the door.

___

Author Note

I know y'all would love it if Arthur looked like this for the rest of the book.

He would be humbled too, but Oshun deserves a man with a face card. She'll heal him but he needs to see himself with the burns so he'll know to never disrespect her.