Free With My Last Breath, Book Three by Cori Chaffee

manipulative ways does not change my heart,' he replied tiredly. ‚Replacing one wrong with another does not make anything right.'
    ‚Might for Right, not Might makes Right, yes?' I quoted his own creed back to him.
    When he had formed the Roundtable, he decreed to live by a set of rules and one of them was to use his strength for the public, not to use it against them. It was a belief that he lived by.
    ‚Yes,' he sighed. ‚Might for Right.'
    I fell silent, considering his situation. If he admitted what had happened to the queen, if it passed from his lips to her ears, then he would be forced to punish Morgan.
    There had to be some way to ease his pain, some way that didn’t add to it. I wracked my brain.
    ‚What if….' I began, but trailed off.
    ‚Yes?' he asked, his face so hopeful that I couldn’t resist it.
    ‚What if I am the one who spoke to the queen on your behalf?' I suggested weakly.
    To interfere in such a way was not bright. I knew it even as I spoke, but I couldn’t help it. He was shouldering so much pain already.
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    With My Last Breath, Book Three
    ‚I could explain what has happened and tell her that you long to discuss it with her, but that you cannot. I am sure she will understand and forgive you, and your heart will be unburdened. Your marriage will be cleansed of lies.'
    ‚You would do that?' he asked, his voice wavering. ‚Truly?'
    I nodded, swallowing hard. ‚Yes. Truly. If the queen understands and forgives you, then Morgan cannot extort her will from you. She will have no leverage.'
    He grinned broadly and leaned over to engulf me in a tight bear hug. I could scarcely breathe, my face smashed against his broad chest. He finally released me and I took a big breath, filling my lungs with much needed oxygen. He laughed and I had to smile in reaction. The king looked better already.
    I wish I could say the same for myself. My birthmark, which had been bewitched to ache whenever I did something that the Fates did not approve of, was throbbing mercilessly. I tried to ignore it, gripping it tightly with my other hand.
    ‚I’m glad to be of help,' I murmured meekly.
    ‚Of help?' King Arthur asked with raised eyebrows. ‚You’ve saved me. Make no mistake about that. You have saved me, Heleyne, and I am indebted to you.'
    ‚No,' I shook my head. ‚You are not.'
    ‚We’ll agree to disagree then,' he nodded, ‚Although… I’m the king so I am always right.' He threw his head back and laughed, the carefree sound ringing through the chapel. ‚I owe you and if you should ever need me, I will assist you. I always repay my debts.'
    I was just murmuring a thank you when Merlin strolled in.
    His black eyes cut me like a knife and I flinched. I could see in them that he knew what I had just done, how I had just agreed to interfere on the king’s behalf. To interfere in this now was to interfere with Fate, something I had never purposely done. His face was stark and severe as he entered the chapel.
    ‚Your highness?' Merlin called down the aisle. ‚Your attention is required in the Knight’s Hall. Could you accompany me?'
    Although he spoke to Arthur, his gaze was pinned on me, holding me tightly to the wooden pew. The king didn’t notice. Arthur couldn’t see the way my shoulders were restrained against my will. I felt my backbone grind into the hard seat and I gritted my teeth. Merlin was punishing me for my interference and I was sure that he would have more to say on the matter later.
    ‚Of course, Merlin,' Arthur answered, rising from the pew. ‚I’d be happy to. What is the issue?' Turning to me, he lifted my hand and kissed it with royal lips.
    ‚Lady Heleyne, I thank you for your ear and for your kind words and assistance. I look forward to your company at dinner.'
    With that, he strode down the aisle to join Merlin and they discussed Merlin’s issue as they disappeared down the hall.
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    With My Last Breath, Book Three
    I will speak to you