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R olf observed the royal couple’s entrance from a corner near the dais, amazed by the awe their presence inspired. People looked upon their sovereigns as gods. And after the coronation, the new king would be considered ordained by God.

Henry II entered the great hall as if he’d been king since birth.

And he was, according to his mother, Empress Matilda.

Her father, Henry I, had been a much loved and prosperous monarch.

On his death, her uncle Stephen had cheated Matilda out of the crown and exiled her to France.

But once her son became of age, she waged war to reclaim the throne of England.

The Earl of Leicester, one of Henry I staunchest supporters, was also Rolf’s liege lord.

He had joined with the powerful earl several years earlier and fought with him against the northern enemies that threatened Leicester’s borders.

When Leicester withdrew his formidable influence from Stephen to back Henry II, the earl was named Steward of England.

Rolf’s unique skills had been instrumental in rooting out any lingering resistance to the young king.

Now the English placed their hopes in Matilda’s son. The stocky, copper-haired man had earned a reputation for boldness, strength, and cunning. The king was quickly surrounding himself with loyal and powerful allies. And that included his breathtaking and intelligent wife.

Comments from a group of nobles, who had never seen the Plantagenet king, caught his attention.

“God’s teeth! Look at that red hair. I’ve heard his temper flares faster than a wheat field in drought.”

“They say he never sleeps.”

“Ha! He never sleeps alone.”

“Why would you look elsewhere if you could bed her?”

“I hear she’s long in the tooth.”

That made Rolf chuckle. True, Eleanor was eleven years older than her husband, but her beauty rivaled any woman in court. Her shapely figure was the envy of younger women. She had hair the color of freshly churned butter… Eyes as green as lush spring grass...

He realized he no longer described Eleanor but gazed at Melissa. Her face, mesmerized by the couple now taking their place at the head table, shone with anticipation. She was exquisite.

It had taken Merlin fifteen years to train and ready him for this encounter.

Rolf could cast a spell, call forth nature’s creatures, shape–shift, and even see into the future at times.

Edric had taught him to wield a sword and bow on horseback.

He excelled in hand–to–hand combat with mace and axe.

His jousting techniques were flawless. Yet, nothing prepared him for the affect this woman had on him, body and soul.

Failing in this quest terrified him, but the thought of losing her almost sent him into a panic.

He had watched her enter the hall earlier and waited until Garrick and Roker engaged some knights in conversation.

Her mother, busy gossiping, never noticed a man slip next to her daughter.

He sat as close as he dared. The faint smell of lemon drifted into his nostrils and stirred his manhood to life.

What would she have done if I’d leaned down and nuzzled that lovely, pale neck?

But then her stomach rumbled, and it took all his willpower not to laugh.

A shaft of light hit her blonde hair, lending a halo effect.

His comical little angel. The humor dissolved as he stared at her exquisite profile.

Nay, his savior. Could she really be the key to ending this centuries–long madness?

Her essence imparted a calm he only experienced during those rare visits with his sister.

The thought of family pinched his heart and he grimaced.

There had not been a content Arbrec in more than 500 years.

And if he failed, there would be no more Arbrecs in the years to come.

The touch of her hand had burned his skin. Always a methodical man, never one to act on impulse, he’d fought the compulsion to grab her wrist and drag her to a dark corridor. He wanted to take her in his arms and let that sweetness and peace fill his soul. Thank the gods her father had called her.

A priest stood in the center of the room and gave a blessing.

His solemn voice rang out over the bowed heads, praising God for his goodness, for the arrival of their blessed sovereign, and the wholesome and good food prepared for the meal.

Servers then moved silently among the guests with pitchers of spiced wine.

Others cut bread for trenchers and placed platters of cheese and bowls of salt on the trestle tables.

A soup of oysters in ale and roasted fish were laid out on the tablecloths followed by beans with garlic and onion.

Rolf sat with a group of the king’s knights he had fought with the previous year.

They understood his solitary ways and did not expect conversation from him.

The sound of slurping broth competed with a discussion about the Welsh borderlands.

His attention wandered from the conversation and focused on Melissa.

Roker now sat beside her. He tipped his head to lean closer to her, but a cupbearer stepped between them to replenish their wine.

The duke, irritated at the interruption, snapped at the servant.

A knot drew tightly in Rolf’s stomach, and the cheese he held soon went flat between his fingers and fell to his plate.

She placed a hand on Roker’s arm and, with a few words, charmed him out of his temper.

Then her back went straight, and her head slowly turned.

She looks for me . Her green eyes met his, and the room seemed to stop—frozen in that moment as they shared a smile.

The tension in his belly melted away until a dirty arm reached across to grab a piece of the trout that had been set down in front of them.

Rolf took a deep gulp of the sweet wine and let it roll on his tongue, appreciating the smoothness.

He was glad Eleanor refused to drink the cheap, sour drink most of London consumed.

Over his cup, he saw the queen watching him.

Then he followed her gaze as it traveled to Melissa.

A smile formed on the queen’s lips. Did she see our silent exchange?

A quiet groan escaped his throat . This will not bode well for me.

Eleanor hailed a servant, who leaned down as she spoke.

After she waved in Rolf’s direction, the man came immediately to his table.

“Your presence is requested in the Royal Chambers following dinner, Lord Arbrec.”

“Please express my appreciation for the invitation.” Rolf had expected the meeting.

The couple wanted to know the sex of the child she carried.

While Henry scoffed at the notion of sorcery and mystic powers, he did not hesitate to ask Rolf his opinions.

But now he feared the conversation might turn to marriage.

Eleanor, Rolf’s self–imposed matchmaker, wanted him to take a wife.

The countess of Aquitaine was first drawn to him because of her interest in Camelot and that romantic age of chivalry.

The queen knew Rolf as one of Merlin’s descendants but had no idea the old man still survived just over the Scottish border.

Nor had he shared the curse cast upon their lot.

After the last course of sweet wine, fruits, and wafers had been served to the host’s table and the nobles, the royal couple retired. Rolf made his way to their chamber.

“Lord Arbrec,” the summoner announced. Rolf approached the thrones and bent on one knee, head bowed.

“Rise. How do you fare these days, Lord Arbrec? I miss the adventure of battle.” Henry ran a hand over his closely-cropped red hair. “I am sure Wales or Scotland will give us a reason to mount our warhorses again, eh?”

“Aye, Sire. And I will be by your side,” he murmured as he kissed the monarch’s hand. “I have come with good news.”

Henry smiled and reached over to squeeze Eleanor’s hand. “My wife grows plump with child. Does she carry a brother or sister for my firstborn, William?”

“The Queen shall have another son,” Rolf bowed.

“Excellent news,” he said, and turned to his wife. “We are most glad. What can we do to show our appreciation, my love? Anything you wish. Anything at all.”

Rolf opened his mouth to answer when he realized the king was speaking to his wife. Instead he smiled, pleased to make this couple happy. He respected this man and was confident Henry would make a great ruler of England.

“Hmm,” Eleanor murmured, a slender finger upon her pink lips. “May I think on it, Your Grace?” She rubbed his short copper beard with affection. “A favor from a king is such a precious gift. I must consider wisely.”

“We are blessed, indeed. There is little I could deny you today, my sweet,” Henry said. “And we thank you, Arbrec, for being our loyal vassal. After the coronation, you shall be rewarded.”

“You have bestowed a knighthood upon me, sire.”

“A knight with no lands has no future. And I see a bright one for you.” He swung his leg over the arm of his throne and jiggled his foot as he thought. “Definitely along one of the borders. You could serve me well, keeping an eye on Wales.”

“I believe he also has family in Scotland.” She raised an eyebrow at Rolf. “Lord Arbrec?”

“I, er, have not met my mother’s family as of yet. Though it is in my future plans.”

“Let me think on it. It needs to be a fitting title for my royal wizard.”

Henry beamed. Rolf went to his knees with his head bowed. “I am honored, Your Majesty.”

“Up! Up, man,” the king said, waving his arms. “We shall go hunting on the morrow. Mayhap you will tell me where the largest boar hide in my woods.”

Rolf backed from the room and turned to make his escape.

“Wait, my lord.” Eleanor stopped him cold. “I would like to resume our previous conversation on marriage. Have you thought about a wife?”

God’s bones, almost out the door. “I... I am in pursuit of an appropriate female.”

“And how goes the hunt?” Amusement shone bright in her blue eyes, daring him to lie to her.

“I feel I may be closing in, Your Highness,” he said, looking at her feet. He feared if

he met her gaze that her smile would be contagious.

“Ah, good to hear.” Eleanor nodded and released him from the interview. But before he got to the entrance, she spoke again. “She is quite beautiful. I look forward to meeting her— soon .”

Rolf knew she saw his shoulders quaver as he chuckled. The woman could charm a snake into befriending a mouse. And the introduction to Melissa was not a request but a command. He only hoped the woman in question cooperated.

The herald announced the next visitor: “The Earl of Garrick.”

The hair went up on the back of Rolf’s neck. God’s teeth, he needed to be in the room for this interview. He strode past the earl, rounded a corner, and slipped into an alcove. Closing his eyes, he mumbled a chant then cursed under his breath.

Nay, not a servant, she’d have to call for one…

Her dog. He rubbed the amulet between his thumb and finger and concentrated on the shaggy image of Eleanor’s pet.

Another ancient chant rumbled low in his throat.

While the growing pressure tightened in his chest, the organs inside twisted and changed.

His head spun as his body grew light, a small implosion rocking him off his feet.

***

The Irish wolfhound scratched at the heavy wooden panels and whined. The Royal guard gave the animal a light kick. “Go away, you mongrel.”

The dog barked. A moment later, the herald poked out his head. “The Queen wishes for the dog to join her,” he informed the guard.

The huge canine padded through the opening and across the tiled floor. Eleanor’s voice coaxed as the door closed. “Hello, my sweet Goliath. Come, let me scratch your ears.”

Rolf lay down at the queen’s feet. Lord Garrick inquired about their health, and extended compliments on the upcoming baby and coronation, before getting straight to the point.

“I hate to bother His Majesty with this trivial matter, but I do need your consent before we proceed.” His smile was practiced but sincere.

The Earl explained about a pact arranged under King Stephen.

Garrick and the late Duke of Sunderland had agreed upon a betrothal between his daughter and Roker’s only son.

Henry nodded and opened his mouth to issue his approval.

Eleanor slipped a hand under his arm and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

He smiled indulgently and gave her a nod.

“What is your daughter’s name, and did she come on this journey?” Eleanor scratched Goliath’s head as she listened. Rolf lifted his chin to give her better access. He did have a bit of an itch behind that right ear.

“Her given name is Melissa. The wedding will proceed as soon as we have procured the royal blessing, so she and my wife have both accompanied me.”

“I see,” she murmured, stroking her dog’s ear.. “And was she with you in the great hall this afternoon?”

“Yea, Your Highness. She sat next to her betrothed, Lord Roker.”

“Henry, my love. May I use that favor now?” Only her husband and the wolfhound at her feet could hear her quiet request. “I do believe this is the girl I told you about.”

“The one our wizard is taken with?” Henry asked in a loud whisper.

He let out a sigh and drummed the arm of the throne with his fingers.

“Lord Garrick, my wife is a native of Aquitaine, where women are placated in their ideals of courtly love. She is under the impression that one of our most beloved and trusted advisors may be interested in your daughter.”

“Your Majesty?” The earl seemed quite taken aback. “Are you sure? We arrived just this week, and I am not aware that she has even mingled with anyone of that stature.”

Henry looked at Eleanor who nodded and whispered again in his ear. “I shall wait to extend my blessing until after the coronation. You may return at that time and again ask permission for your daughter’s betrothal.”

“But Sire, I...”

“Would rather not argue with the King of England,” Eleanor interrupted smoothly. “I so look forward to meeting your family, Lord Garrick. And I hope you enjoy the festivities we have planned.”

Rolf let out a bark as the earl left the room. Garrick had been stunned; he had not even asked the name of the trusted advisor.