Guinevere's Grail | ✓ [BOOK 2]

~ 33 ~

WITH EVERY MINUTE THAT passed and no sign of Chalice, Eurion's worry grew. She stood at the edge of the lake, watching with worried eyes until she became restless, and even then she did not leave the sandy shore, pacing back and forth with her lip between her teeth. After long enough, many druids and most of her companions left to eat, but Eurion, Sera, and Cian remained in anxious anticipation.

Most of the village returned to their lively activities, far less worried than Eurion was. Even Kit busied himself teaching Lionel how to fight with a sword with two long sticks he found in a bush, and she wished she could get over the anxiety chewing away at her as easily as that. Normally she could, but today it was an impossible task, and she hugged Chalice's cloak tighter around her shoulders as if it would bring her any comfort.

"Has he been good to my son?" Sera asked, cutting through the silence. Eurion had no idea why she was asking her at a time like this, maybe she could see how much the thief was struggling. Or perhaps she didn't care at all.

"Kit?" Eurion asked, tossing a look back at the prince, who pretended to fall over and with a dramatic cry when Lionel sent a playful jab his way. "Well, I don't really know what a father is meant to look like. But I think he loves him, he's just confused is all. He's nothing but kind to him, even if he forgets about him in the midst of all this chaos."

Sera's eyes were sharp. "Don't get too attached," she said, and Eurion fixed her with a questioning glance. "To anything. I know you've all found someone, but this will not end without heartbreak. Don't get attached to something you can't stand to lose."

She gulped. "Is that why you're so cold?"

The druid turned her head.

"You love Lionel, I can tell," Eurion went on. "But you act like he's an asset before he's your son."

"That's because he is," she snapped, jaw clenching.

"I don't think you believe that," she told her. "You love him like a mother ought to, and you don't want to hurt the way a mother hurts when she is not the first to go. Is that why you are so frigid with your own son?"

Sera's hand shot out to grip her arm, nails digging into her skin.

"Ow!"

"Watch your words, Eurion Cullen," she hissed. "Do not make me your enemy. I am no heartless demoness, I am practical, and I am logical, but I still feel. Don't question me again."

Eurion shook her arm away and stepped back. "I'm sure you're well within your rights to be a bitch, but so am I. I'm not an idiot, don't treat me like one."

Before the argument could progress any further, they were cut off by a loud splash. Eurion spun her head around to find a pale hand shooting out of the water, curled within it the precious artifact, and her heart sped up. She abandoned Sera's side to help pull the druid out of the lake and onto the shore. As soon as they caught their breath, she wrapped her arms around their thin frame. For the first time since they died, Chalice returned the favor.

"I'm sorry," she stammered, stepping away from them and gnawing on the inside of her cheek. "You did it, Chalice. I knew you could."

Chalice seemed less interested in the Grail and more so in the thief. They said nothing, all they did was stare.

After so long, it grew strange. "Are you okay? Did something happen?"

Without any time to prepare, they dropped the Grail and pulled Eurion into a proper, solid embrace. It brought her back to the days when Chalice knew who she was, and they would hold her like she was the most important thing in the world. It all made sense when they whispered into her ear.