She and King Yurien had approached him the moment he arrived, peppering him with an onslaught of questions about Excalibur. Where had he gotten it, and how long ago, and was it true that the blade only glowed for those it deemed worthy? Arthur had answered their questions as politely and as vaguely as he could, twisting around to look for anyone who might rescue him.

But there was no one.

“I’d love a dance,” the queen had proclaimed, resting a pale, slender hand on his arm.

And before he knew it, they were on the dance floor, where he was hastily trying to remember the steps to the Basse. Every time he tried to cheat by seeing what anyone else was doing, he could sense the queen’s amusement.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Your Highness?” she asked, as the dance brought them together palm to palm.

“I am, Your Majesty,” Arthur lied. “I’m just a bit, er, tired from the contest.”

Tired was an understatement. He wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed and sleep for a week. Instead he was here, at his father’s grand birthday ball, with the Queen of Lothia and no idea whether their next dance step lasted six counts or eight.

“I wasn’t aware the Duke of Cornwall intended to enter,” she said.

“Nor was I,” said Arthur.

“I admire a man who knows what he wants,” the queen said silkily. “But somehow, I find that very quality abhorrent in the duke.”

Arthur bit back a laugh. “Then we are in agreement,” he pronounced.

Their palms were inches apart, held aloft as they circled one another. A large emerald ring glittered on the queen’s finger, and a matching stone swayed on a long golden chain around her neck. Her veil was a similar shade of green, embroidered with silver to match her gown. And her eyes were rimmed with thick smudges of dark makeup that flicked up at the corners in a way that was almost catlike.

“Was your journey to Avalon very difficult?” the queen inquired.

“I did have some trouble with the boat,” Arthur allowed. “Luckily, I had our apprentice wizard Merlin with me, or else I might have arrived soaking wet.”

The queen’s eyes glittered with interest. “I’ve heard of the wizard Merlin,” she said. “I expected him to be older.”

“This was his, uh, son,” said Arthur.

The queen looked surprised. “I didn’t know he had children.”

“Twins,” Arthur said absently, trying to remember the count. Were they supposed to circle twice or three times? He glanced at the couple on their left, who was no help, unless he was looking for instruction on where to place his hands should he wish to be slapped. “A boy and a girl.”