Excalibur's Seven | ✓ [LGBT]

~ 23 ~

KIT WAS AN IDIOT. It came as a surprise to no one, but this time, he truly fucked up. He'd been obsessive about not letting the boy out of his sight the whole time, but the moment the Queen took all his attention, he forgot about his one job. Keep Lionel safe.

"How did they even get through?" he asked, joining the others outside of the palace, watching anxiously as horses were brought to them.

Selene shook her head beside him. "I have no idea. There's probably a traitor here. They must've offered someone something good."

As soon as he could, Kit climbed up onto a horse. Morgana had to join him again, because no matter how many horses the palace could provide, he had no idea how to ride one.

The seven made their way off then, speeding towards the nearest entrance. Their own horses were still where they'd left them, and the night had hardly come and gone when they returned. It was disorienting, but Kit didn't dwell on the thought.

It was lucky, they were only a few hours from the castle, and they weren't far from the men who had Lionel. He couldn't waste a single second, because the longer the boy was there, the more danger he was in.

A week ago, he would've denied the chance that anyone at the castle would hurt a child. But now, he didn't know what to believe.

The only time they stopped was when Morgana moved to sit in front of him so he could sleep without falling off, and Selene was desperate to relieve herself. After that, they didn't waste a second.

The sun was up when the castle came into view. They couldn't just walk through the door this time, and he was sure the tunnel was shut off by now. They were stuck now, frantically trying to think of a plan.

Finally, in a grave tone, Morgana spoke up. "I'll turn myself in, then I'll find a way to let you all in."

"No," Kit insisted. "I'll do it. They'll kill you right away, they don't care about you. But they'll want me alive."

Morgana stiffened his jaw. "You're worth more than me. If you're wrong, we're screwed."

He was about to say something else when Selene cut in. "I'll go," she said. "They won't kill me right away either, but I'm not the most important here. I know the castle, too, I'll figure something out."

Giselle's eyes were glistening. "Are you sure you'll be okay?" she asked. "You've got your shard, don't you?"

"I'll be okay, Princess. And if I'm not--"

The princess didn't let her finish what she was saying, colliding their lips together and kissing her with a passion so deep, Kit almost had to look away.

When they parted, Selene pulled something from around her wrist and set it in Giselle's palm. It was the woven bracelet from her late sister, something she never took off for anything. "I love you, Giselle," she said.

Her face hardened again when she turned to Kit. "Go to your window. Your room is the least guarded, I'll figure out how to get you in, or get us out. Right now, try to disable the outside defenses. I'll do my best to occupy as many guards as I can."

As much as it stung to be reminded of the lack of safety he was given at the castle, he didn't dwell on it. "Yes, sir," he told her. "Be safe, please."

Her eyes, though stern, held a kind of warmth she rarely showed him. "I will, Kristofer. I promise."

With that, the Lady Knight was gone, throwing herself right into the face of danger. Kit could think of no one better for the job.

Giselle's eyes were spilling over now as she watched Selene disappear. Kit placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her attention to him.

From his pocket, he pulled out the shard given to him by the Seelie Queen. "You deserve this," he told her, placing it in her hand.