The Darkest Knight (Guardians of Camelot #3) - Victoria Sue Page 0,59

trust. We’ve known each other for three, four days? So far it’s I who have trusted you. I think it’s your turn.”

Ali gazed at Roxy helplessly. All the knights stayed silent, watching. Ali took a few steps toward her and closed the distance. “You are my life, but I am asking you to give up yours,” Ali admitted, taking her hand and holding Roxy’s palm against her cheek. “Be careful. I don’t want to have to castrate any of them.”

Lucan inhaled quickly and coughed, but his eyes glinted with humor.

Roxy smiled serenely and turned to Gawain, holding her arm out. “May I?”

He blinked in surprise but unsheathed his sword and offered it to her, hilt up. Roxy took a few steps away from Gawain and held it up as if testing the balance. She swiped it down, then nodded to herself and focused on Ali, bringing the sword in line with her body, bowing and saying, “En garde,” in a near as perfect French accent.

Gawain wasn’t the only one to gape.

“I think you’ve been holding out on me,” Ali said slowly and copied her actions. Charles noticed Lance, Mel, and Tom appearing in the doorway. It looked like the fight was going to have an audience.

And then so fast Charles almost missed it, Roxy leaped toward Ali, and Ali, taken by surprise, only just brought her sword up in time.

“What’s going on?” Tom whispered, but Charles shook his head.

“Roxy clearly has some skill.”

“But fencing isn’t the same as fighting for your life,” Lance warned, but even he must be able to see that Roxy had experience. Ali had started gently even if Roxy was quick, but it looked like she was realizing she had underestimated her Tresor.

“I thought she was a model,” Tom said in awe after a vicious sideswipe Ali only just avoided.

“Like Charles is just a cook,” Mel said pointedly, and Charles met his gaze. There was no condemnation or even suspicion, but Mel had too forgiving a heart. He knew Kay’s absence was his fault.

Roxy called a halt after another moment, and Ali laughed gleefully, stepping forward and pulling Roxy to her in a breath-stealing kiss. “You are amazing.”

“Amazing enough to borrow your sword?” Roxy challenged.

Ali blinked. Her sword had originally been made for her older brother and was even longer than Gawain’s. “It’s heavy.”

Roxy nodded and extended her hand. “I know.” Ali sighed, and they exchanged swords, Ali taking Gawain’s. Roxy balanced the sword and closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of it. She looked over at Lance.

“I am told no one has ever bested you with a sword, but Ali managed to rid you of it.” Gawain had told Charles of the fight last year when Mel had distracted Lance and Ali had managed to cut his hand. “Perhaps you would do me the honor?”

Ali’s lips parted, but she bit back the obvious protest. Lance straightened. “Where did you learn?”

“From my father,” Roxy replied. “He was a reenactment enthusiast. He was actually a farrier, but ancient weapons were his hobby. My brother was never interested, and my sister didn’t have the patience.”

“And I bet you gave him gray hairs,” Lance retorted, but he drew his sword. Charles knew the knights didn’t keep their swords on them at home, so he assumed those that carried them had been intending to practice as well. Lance nodded to the protective vest and face guard in the corner. “Put that on.”

“Yes, sir,” Roxy replied instantly and stood still as Ali helped her.

Lance waited patiently, and as soon as she was ready, he nodded. “You have nothing to prove.”

“To you? Absolutely not.”

Charles saw Ali stiffen, but Lance accepted her answer and brought his sword up to almost touch his face. Charles was expecting Roxy to start fast as she had done with Ali, but when she didn’t, he guessed that was clever. Lance just waited patiently, and even as she experimentally thrust and began to dance, Lance only defended himself. Charles wasn’t sure whether Lance was going easy or deliberately goading, or even both, but if that was true, all you could see on Roxy’s calm face was sweat appearing. His tactics didn’t seem to bother her; in fact, after a little while it was Lance who started to take the offensive even though it was obvious he was still holding himself in check.

They got faster, and everyone watched in silence as each took turns in being the aggressor and the deflector. Charles glanced at Ali, her