Excalibur's Seven | ✓ [LGBT]

~ 13 ~

THE SAFEST PLACE TO be was exactly where they were, in the middle of the sandy beach. No one trusted the woods that stretched out behind them, at least not in the dark. Even so, Kit was convinced that even if they wanted to, none of them could pull their aching limbs across the sand to get there.

It was a dangerously close call back on the ship. Giselle managed to set the beast ablaze, but the ship was already sinking and he didn't know how. The best solution they could come up with was jumping into the water and hoping they could swim to shore. None of them knew what Chalice was doing, each time was a surprise, but it was a welcome one.

Kit almost didn't make it, the flames licking his feet as he tore the strap from Conrad's chest and wrapped it around his own before diving into the water. The shard gave him enough strength to swim without help, but Chalice was there to lead the way.

There was an overwhelming sense of relief when he saw everyone alive on the sand, breathing real air. He didn't know what Chalice had done, but everyone would be dead without them.

"How the hell did you do that?" Eurion asked after the initial shock had subsided, beating him to the question.

Chalice was quiet for a long moment, pinching the bridge of their nose. "I have no idea. I just did what I was told."

Kit assumed that meant the Gods. He only knew so much about Gifteds, humans capable of magic, but he knew that druids got their magic from Above. Witches drew power from the earth, and wizards have the magic in their own spirits, but they have to study more to use it.

One thing he new was that druids like Chalice could do exactly what they'd just done—become a vessel for the Gods.

"You're incredible, Chalice," Kit said. "Without you I'm afraid I would still be home, trying to impress the King while Avalon suffers. Thank you, for everything."

Chalice shared a grateful smile, then adjusted their position so they were laying on their side. "We should sleep," was all they said.

They didn't have to tell Kit twice, and he was dozing off as soon as he laid against the cool sand, pulling his knees to his chest.

It wasn't the best sleep he'd ever gotten, but when he woke up again, the sun high in the sky, he felt energized again.

Everyone else was already awake, Chalice and Eurion trying to build a fire while Selene searched the edge of the forest, presumably for something to eat, and the faeries sat together against a boulder. He made his way over to Selene.

"Great, you're up," she said. "Help me find something to eat because the last thing I want is to eat seaweed. I'd take a bird over that any day."

"Morgana's gonna skin you alive if you try to eat a bird," Kit warned, but it wasn't something she didn't already know.

"Yeah, I know. We can't get fish, though, so I hope there's fruit or something here." She stepped further into the trees.

A flash of red caught Kit's eye in the distance, and he marched over to find a bush full of berries. He didn't know if they were poisonous or not, but he grabbed a handful and showed it to Selene.

"No idea, go ask Giselle. I'll keep looking."

Kit stepped back out onto the beach, approaching the faeries sitting against the rock. Morgana was already glaring at him, but Giselle didn't notice him until he was right in front of her.

"Selene said you'd know if these were poisonous or not," he told her, showing her the berry.

Giselle took one and examined it, then tossed it to the side. "Better not. Sorry, love."