CHAPTER EIGHT
THE MARK OF NIMUEH ( ii. )

The first breakthrough in search of the cause for the disease occurs when Gaius discovers that it's spread through water. After taking a sample from where most of the low town fills their water buckets, he is sure that his assumptions are correct. Calliope glances out the window in the Throne Room as Gaius shares his findings with the King. She spots an array of dead bodies covered with sheets in the courtyard. The death toll for this disease rises every day, and yesterday, Calliope found out that Gwen's father had caught it. Her determination to help Gaius put an end to this disease had escalated after seeing Gwen so upset. Her father is one of the nicest men Calliope has ever met. She couldn't bear to see him end up under one of those sheets.

"Don't touch it," Calliope shifts her eyes away from the window as King Uther and Arthur examine the vial of polluted water that had killed the small flower floating in it. "I had this in the water for no more than a few hours."

"Where is the water from?" Uther asks.

"The pump from where the people take their daily supply."

Arthur keeps his gaze on the vial, "We have to stop the people from using it."

"The city cannot survive without water," Gaius insists, but Uther disregards their words as he throws his hands up in desperate frustration.

"Then we have to find this sorcerer!"

Gaius's eyes meet Calliope's as Arthur speaks up, "I don't believe they're inside Camelot."

"Then extend the search to the villages!"

"We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom."

Uther steps closer to his son, his eyes blazing with determination, "And I can't stand by and watch our people die."

Arthur doesn't say anything else. He gives his father a simple nod before striding out of the room. Calliope lets out a breath as she follows him into the hall. She's going crazy standing around and examining samples. She needs to help Arthur find this sorcerer while Gaius and Merlin search for any kind of cure. And not because she really cares what happens to the city in general. She only cares that Gaius and Merlin don't get hurt.

"Arthur!" Calliope catches up to him in the courtyard before he reaches the knights waiting for him. He turns his head as Calliope stops in front of him. "I can help you find the sorcerer."

He crosses his arms over his chest with raised eyebrows, "Is that so?"

Calliope nods, "You're not going to find them by trashing through everyone's houses. When you're trying to catch someone, you have to think like them."

"And what makes you such an expert?"

"You don't have to be an expert to know that someone who wants to poison an entire city must have a reason for it besides just 'being evil'," Calliope doubts Arthur will listen to her, but it's worth a shot. "This looks like someone wanting revenge."

Arthur scoffs, "Okay, well that narrows it down to almost every single sorcerer that exists. My father outlawed magic. All of them want revenge."

"Okay, well why not just infiltrate the castle and poison his wine?" Calliope asks. "Why poison the entire city when you only want revenge on one person?"

"Calliope you can't expect me to understand these people. They're crazy. They're evil. And that's all."

Arthur begins to walk away, but Calliope grabs his arm, "This sorcerer is going to the extreme to get back at Uther. She wants to kill everyone."

"She?" Arthur asks with raised eyebrows.

Calliope nods, "Haven't you ever heard the saying, 'Poison is a woman's weapon'?" Arthur still doesn't seem to be listening to her. "Maybe instead of going on a crazed witch hunt, you should be asking your father if he can think of a woman from his past so powerful and so insane that she would wipe out an entire city to get back at him. That should narrow down the list."

"Look, I appreciate your ideas, but I have more villages to search," Arthur pulls his arm out of her grasp.

Calliope feels anger arise in her gut, "At least let me come with you. I'm telling you, I can help." She sees contemplation in his blue eyes. "I proved you wrong when you said I couldn't fight with a sword. Are you really going to let your pride cloud your judgment when all of Camelot is at risk?"

Arthur's eyes stay locked with hers as he lets out a long sigh, "Fine, just don't slow us down."

Yes, she will help find this sorcerer for Gaius and Merlin, and then, she will figure out her plan with her task to kill Arthur.

The sooner she carries out her task, the sooner she can forget.

♛ ♛ ♛

Most of the knights did not appreciate having Calliope tag along in their search. As she walks behind Arthur in the low town on their way to the outer villages, Calliope can feel their rude stares and whispers. She looks over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes at them. She's still getting used to being in this environment, where she has to put a pin in her anger and channel it somewhere else. Self-control has not been one of her strengths, and Calliope has to clench her jaw tightly to quell the frustration building within her chest.

She's used to people underestimating her upon first glance. It's one thing that makes her job easier. After all, no one expects an innocent girl to slice them through with a dagger, but with the guards, they seem to gain amusement from her. Nudging each other and chuckling like she's on display for them. Calliope tries to swallow her anger, but she's never been very good at containing it. The rage is always there—simmering and bubbling and rising, until she has no choice but to release in in a brutal fury. But her rage is one thing that's always been a sure way to keep her going. When she had nothing else, not even a speck of a feeling, she could count on her rage to remind her that she was still alive. Still human, tethered to this world through a slow, burning fire.

On top of having to deal with the guards, Calliope feels weird being around Arthur. There is an inner war raging in her mind as she tries to act normal. Staying focused on the task of looking for clues is a good distraction as she analyzes everything and everyone around her, catching each facial expression; each personal tick unique to each individual they pass. Nothing suspicious has caught her eye yet, but they hadn't been searching very long.

Stopping in her tracks beside Arthur, Calliope's eyes widen as she spots Gwen's father hard at work in the blacksmiths' shop; not one purple line visible on his body. He looks perfectly healthy, but how can that be? He was inching towards death less than twenty-four hours ago.

Arthur approaches him with everyone around halting their days to watch, "The story is, you were sick."

Gwen's father stops his work as he nods, "Not anymore."

"Perhaps you were suffering from some other ailment."

He shook his head, "You're joking. I felt like death itself; not enough strength in me to stir the air."

"Then... what happened?"

Gwen's father shrugs, "Oh, I don't know. Suddenly it was gone. I'm fitter than I was before."

"That's remarkable."

Calliope steps forward, "Was anyone with you during this?"

He nods, looking to Calliope, "Just Gwen."

"You didn't notice anyone else around your house..." Calliope trails off as she sees Arthur walking away with the other knights. Did he honestly think Gwen could do this? Calliope quickly turns back to Gwen's father. "I'm so happy you're better. I'll see you around."

She breaks into a jog to catch up to Arthur; his eyes trained forward as he heads towards Gwen's house.

Calliope taps his shoulder, taking long strides to keep up with him, "If you think Gwen is an evil sorceress, then you're way more fucking stupid than I imagined."

"Do you honestly think this is a coincidence?" Arthur asks. "You can't just expect me to ignore what I saw."

She stops with anger in her eyes as the knights barge into Gwen's house. Arthur and Calliope step inside after them, "This is a giant waste of time. You're ability to deny actual reason astounds me."

Arthur doesn't reply as the knights look through everything in the house. She shakes her head, about to give Arthur another piece of her mind until one of the knights reaches under the pillow on Gwen's father's bed and pulls out a small, glowing pouch that is clearly enchanted. Calliope lets out a breath of unbelief as Arthur takes the pouch in his hand.

"Arthur, listen to me. Gwen didn't do this."

"Then explain this to me," He motions to the pouch, and then he looks to the knights, "We have to find Guinevere and arrest her."

"Seriously?" Arthur shoves past Calliope as he walks outside with the knights. Calliope runs after him. "This is insane! You're arresting the wrong person!"

"We found an enchantment in her house, Calliope," Arthur states. "My hands are tied. I have to tell my father."

Calliope lets out a scoff, "You know as soon as you tell your father, he's going to execute her! When magic is involved, he can't understand reason, and clearly you can't either," Arthur doesn't reply as they continue walking towards the castle. "You're about to bring an innocent girl to her death, and you don't even care! As long as you get your father's approval, nothing else matters, right? I was such a fool for thinking that maybe, you were different from him."

Arthur stops. She sees his jaw twitch as he turns to one of the knights, "Take Calliope back to her house and make sure she stays there."

"What?" Arthur continues on his path to the castle as three guards stay behind and grab her. She feels her anger exploding as she yells. "Gwen is innocent, and you know it, you fucking coward!"

"Hey, you can't talk to the Prince like that," One of the guards says in a condescending tone as he shoves Calliope.

Calliope turns around, her eyes full of malice as her pointed stare focuses on him, "Shove me like that again, and I'll fucking kill you."

He laughs along with the other two guards, "Okay, darling. Whatever you say."

Calliope has held back a lot of anger since her arrival in Camelot. She has dealt with many prideful men that think women aren't capable of anything. She's held back her fists and her blades. However, in that very moment as Arthur marches to arrest Gwen for a crime that she didn't commit, and as those three guards laugh at her like she's on this earth for their amusement, her restraint shatters.

She simply raises her foot, spinning around to deliver a roundhouse kick right to that guard's throat. He stumbles back, grasping his windpipe as he falls to the ground. As air slowly starts to return to his lungs, the other two grab her arms. She smirks down at him as he struggles to breathe.

"Remember that the next time you think about disrespecting a woman."

"Alright, get moving," The other two keep their grasps on Calliope as they escort her back towards Gaius's chambers.

She could fight her way free easily, but she can already feel the disappointment and disapproval from Gaius before she even walks in the door. As Calliope calms herself down, she realizes the only way to help Gwen now is to find the real sorcerer or stop the disease.

When she opens the door and walks inside, the two guards stand at the door. She lets out a huff as she turns around and sees Gaius and Merlin sitting at the table. Merlin has his shoulders hung in a defeated way as Calliope sits down beside him.

"Gwen was sentenced to death," Merlin informs Calliope with saddened eyes. "I thought I was doing good," Merlin admits with his gaze down. "I thought curing Gwen's father would help her. I thought I was saving a life. It seemed so simple." Calliope should have known Merlin was the one who put the pouch under the pillow.

"An easy solution is like a light in the storm, Merlin. Rush for it at your peril, for it may not always lead you to a safe harbor."

"I can see that now."

Calliope puts her hand on Merlin's back, "We'll save Gwen. I know we will."

Merlin stands up, "I must see her."

As Merlin opens the door and sees the guards, he turns to Calliope, "What-"

"I kicked one of Arthur's guards in the throat."

"Oh. Alright then."

Merlin leaves in a hurry, and Calliope is met with Gaius's disappointed stare, "I know. I know, but he was a huge asshole, and I was upset about Gwen. Plus, Arthur wouldn't listen to a word I said."

Gaius's eyes glint with understanding as he puts his hand over hers, "You're doing better; I can see it in your eyes. I know you genuinely want a different life."

"What if I'm not capable of being different?" Calliope asks in defeat. "What if all I can be is a killer?"

"Calliope," Gaius shakes his head. "Life dealt you a lot of darkness, but I know that you are stronger than your demons," he manages a small smile. "I just wish you believed it too."

A glimmer of hope that Gaius is right arises in her stomach, but it is overpowered by the haunting reality that she either has to do something horrible to escape her demons, or she has to watch everyone she cares about face the consequences of them.

♛ ♛ ♛

Calliope cannot leave Gaius's chambers. Yes, she could sneak out, but Arthur isn't the only one insisting on her house arrest. Gaius told her that she has to own up to her actions, and she can leave the house when everything blows over.

After a failed attempt from Merlin to confess that he is the real sorcerer, which ended with Arthur saving his ass and convincing everyone that there was no way Merlin could be a sorcerer, Gaius was fed up with getting no real answers. He and Merlin had left a while ago to go underneath the castle where the source for the city's water is located, leaving Calliope bored and alone.

Then, as she walks out of her room, the door is thrown open as Merlin and Gaius rush inside. They don't offer an explanation as Gaius rummages through several of his books until he finds the one he's looking for. He flips through the pages and lands on the right one.

"There."

"What is it?" Calliope asks as she peeks over his shoulder.

"It was an Afanc," Gaius states, looking between Calliope and Merlin.

Calliope furrows her eyebrows, "Afanc?"

"A beast born of clay and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer."

"We saw it in the water supply," Merlin tells Calliope as Gaius looks up from the book.

"Now we have to find a way to defeat it," His gaze moves up to his large collection of books. "But where?"

Merlin sighs, "That could take days. Gwen will be dead by then."

"Have you got a better idea?"

Merlin seems to have an idea as he turns around and heads for the door, "Hey, wizard boy," Calliope walks up to him. "Where are you going?"

"I have to figure out how to kill that thing before they execute, Gwen." She senses that he's hiding something from her and Gaius, but she doesn't press him further, "Look, you're still grounded, so why don't you help Gaius look through his books."

Calliope sighs with a reluctant nod, "Be careful."

"I will."

As Merlin leaves, Calliope turns to Gaius. He hands her a heavy stack of books. The dust from the books flies up into her face and she coughs loudly as the dust particles fill her lungs. She sets the books down on the table with a heavy thud.

Gaius sits across from her with an equal amount of books, "It's going to be a long day."

Calliope can already feel a headache forming as she skims through every page, looking for any sign of something called an Afanc. She makes it through the first book with no luck, setting it aside with a light thump and diving into the next one. She reads and reads and reads and reads until the words start to blur together and she has to shake her head and blink several times to refocus.

Gaius takes a break as he goes to get more water samples, and Calliope closes the last book with frustration. She thinks about Gwen and how afraid she must be. She knows Gwen had nothing to do with any of this and it pains her to imagine Gwen lying on a dust-caked, dirty prison floor with nothing but thin straws of hay to keep her company as she tries not to let her mind wander to the pillar being built for her execution by fire.

Standing up and tapping her finger against the table, Calliope considers running past the guards at her door to go see Gwen, but before she can put her actions into reality, the door is flung open violently. Merlin sprints inside, knocking over a plate as he hurries to the back of the room.

"Merlin, what the hell is going on?"

He doesn't answer as he looks through several books. Calliope spots Gaius walking through the wide-open door with confusion etched on his face. He closes the door behind him.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for a book."

"Care to tell me which one?" Gaius asks as he walks closer to him.

Merlin turns his eyes to Gaius, "A book on elements."

"And why would you need that?" Calliope raises her eyebrows in question.

He scans his eyes over the many books lying on the table, "Which one would I find them in?"

"Well most of them," Gaius answers. "The study of base elements is at the heart of the scientific process."

Merlin tilts his head up, "But how would they help me kill the Afanc?"

"Well, the Afanc is a creature made from earth and water. That's two of the four base elements."

"What about the other two?"

"Well, perhaps they will destroy it. You want fire; wind and fire"

Calliope lets out a laugh, "So, you're telling me all we have to do is light this thing on fire?"

"You haven't seen it, Cal," Merlin looks to her. "We'll need help to do this."

Gaius nods, but he keeps his attention on Merlin, "How did you find this out?"

"Um... I just knew. You know, it's part of my powers," Merlin is a bad liar. Calliope notices all the small changes in his facial expression when he tells a lie; she can tell that he feels guilty about not being truthful.

"What else do your powers tell you?"

"That I am only one side of a coin; the brighter side, obviously."

"And who's the other side," Gaius asks.

Merlin lets out a breath, "I think that might be Arthur."

Footsteps echoing in the hallway grab Calliope's attention as Morgana runs into the room, her eyes full of desperation as she stops -breathing heavily- in front of Gaius.

"They're bringing forward the execution."

"Shit," Calliope breathes as her eyes dart to Merlin. They need to hurry.

"We have to prove Gwen's innocence," Morgana says.

Gaius nods, "We're trying."

"Please, just tell me what I can do to help."

Merlin speaks up, "We need Arthur."

"Arthur?"

"There's a monster, an Afanc, in the water supply. That's what's causing the plague."

Morgana's eyes widen, "We must tell Uther."

Gaius steps forward, "The Afanc is a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd just blame her for conjuring it."

"So what are we to do."

Calliope meets her gaze, "We kill it, and then, the sickness will stop."

"Then maybe Uther will see sense," Merlin says.

"And that's why you need Arthur?"

"He's our best chance," Merlin answers, "but he won't want to disobey the King."

Morgana smirks, "Leave that to me."

♛ ♛ ♛

The sun drifts lower in the sky, flickers of the auburn sunset cascading through Calliope's window as she reaches under her bed. The silver blade with a snug leather handle that fits her hand perfectly reflects the dying sunlight as Calliope examines the dagger. She inhales a sharp breathe, tucking it away in her red tunic as she stands. Arthur is finally letting her leave Gaius's chambers because Morgana talked him into it, and they need all the help they can get to kill the Afanc.

Calliope joins Merlin outside, happy to see the two guards nowhere in sight. They make their way to the courtyard together, passing by the stake for Gwen as guards add hay to the bottom. Clenching her jaw, Calliope averts her eyes from the sight, hoping that they'll be able to kill the Afanc to show Uther that Gwen is not behind this terrible illness.

"I know you were lying earlier," Calliope states as they wait for Arthur and Morgana.

A dash of fear shoots through Merlin's eyes as he turns his head to her, "About what?"

"Your powers 'talking to you'," Calliope laughs. "You know, if you want to keep your head on your shoulders, you should really learn how to lie better, considering that you have a big secret."

"Am I really that bad?"

"Your cheeks turn red, you hesitate before you answer, and you don't look the person you're talking to in the eyes," Merlin sighs, realizing how terrible he really is. "Look, I'm not going to interrogate you, Merlin, but you have to be more careful," Calliope looks around at all the guards in the courtyard. "Lying is game, and you have to be the smarter player."

Merlin catches her gaze, "How many times have you lied to me?"

Calliope doesn't answer. She keeps her eyes forward, knowing he doesn't want to know the answer to that question. Spotting Arthur marching across the courtyard drawing his sword, with Morgana right behind him causes Calliope to tense up. Their eyes meet for half a second, but Calliope shifts her gaze away, clearing her throat as they turn around and lead the way to the water supply.

They stopped on the far right end of the castle, outside the gate where an entrance to an underground tunnel stood. With a torch in one hand and his sword in the other, Arthur leads the way. Morgana goes in after him, another torch in her hand.

Calliope's heart pounds with anticipation as she and Merlin descend the stone staircase. The air in the tunnel is cold and musty. Calliope's muscles shiver as they search for heat. A small droplet of water splashes onto her forehead as they walk deeper into the dimly-lit tunnel.

"You better be right about this Merlin," Arthur warns as their footsteps echo through the walls.

A low growling ricochets through the air, bringing all of them to a halt. Calliope glances around, her hand ready to reach into her tunic for the dagger.

Arthur turns, his eyes moving between Calliope and Morgana, "You two should stay here."

Calliope scoffs, "Get the hell over yourself, Arthur. We're coming with you."

"Yeah, you scared we'll show you up?"

Arthur looks to Morgana, knowing Calliope's mind is made up, but maybe he can convince Morgana otherwise, "Father will slam us both into chains if he knew I'd endangered you."

"Good thing he doesn't know about it then."

"I'm telling you, Morgana, turn back. You could get hurt"

"So could you," she states with a sly smile, "if you don't get out of my way."

Morgana moves past him, and Arthur rolls his eyes with a sigh. Calliope pats his shoulder with a grin, "Don't worry, princess. I'm here to protect you."

Following Morgana, she hears Merlin let out a laugh, but Arthur does not seem amused. Calliope keeps her eyes peeled as the four of them walk deeper into the cave with echoes of water hitting the ground ringing in their ears.

"How are we going to find it?" Morgana asks.

"Just hope we do before it finds us."

"Hey, Merlin, if this thing kills you, can I have your room?" Calliope asks with a smirk. "It's bigger than mine."

"Shut up, Cal."

"Stop," Arthur lets out randomly as he turns around, shining his torch in the darkness.

"What is it?"

He squints his eyes as he looks to the other end of the tunnels, "I thought I heard something, but it's just a shadow."

Calliope follows the path of his eyes, not seeing anything as he continues walking. She has an eerie feeling in her gut as she turns back around -like someone is watching their every step- following behind Morgana and the torchlight.

They come to the end of the tunnel where a small stream of water sits in a marble slab, "Spread out," Arthur says quietly, and Calliope turns, going down the tunnel opposite from Arthur.

She pulls out her dagger when she's alone, glancing around in the darkness. She takes careful steps, inaudible even with the sharp echoes caused by the walls.

The sound of deep snarling from the other side of the cave shoots through her as she turns around. Calliope runs in the direction of the snarling, faced with Arthur in a fighting stance as he turns around in all directions, but there's no sign of the Afanc.

"What is it? Are you alright?" Morgana asks frantically as she stops next to Arthur. Merlin walks to Calliope as the four of them stay on alert.

"Yeah."

"Did you see it?" Merlin asks.

Arthur's eyes continue scanning his surroundings, "Yes."

"What did it look like?"

He shrugs, "It's quick. I don't know."

A scream from Morgana arises as she stumbles back. The Afanc shows itself; it's yellow fangs as long as Calliope's dagger. Its body is black and slimy, almost like a giant lizard.

"Oh shit," Calliope lets out as Arthur swings his sword at the Afanc.

The creature disappears again, but its growls still reverberate against the walls. Arthur turns in a circle with frustration on his face.

"Where is it?"

"I think it's gone this way!" Merlin shouts as he motions to the left side of the cave.

The group moves towards the low growling cautiously as Calliope grips her dagger. If that thing comes at her, she's stabbing it in the fucking face.

The shadow of the Afanc reflects on the floor as they walk closer to it. The growls intensify as the Afanc appears in front of them, saliva dripping from its mouth as it looks at the group with fatal intentions.

It comes right for Arthur. He draws his sword back, but all of his blows seem useless against it. His sword pisses the Afanc off at best.

The creature swings its sharp claws at Arthur, and the Prince dodges each attack. Turning its attention to Morgana, the Afanc swipes its claws at her, and she drops her torch with fear. Morgana stumbles away from it as Arthur tries to use his sword again, but the Afanc still keeps coming towards them.

Calliope looks down at her dagger, which would also be useless against the monster. She darts her eyes to Merlin, knowing they have to use the torch.

"Arthur, use the torch!" Merlin yells.

Arthur immediately raises his torch towards the Afanc; the heat from the flames burning onto its face as Merlin mutters an incantation. A huge gust of wind flows through the entire cave, catching the fire and extending it just far enough to engulf the monster in an array of orange flames. Calliope breathes in relief as she gives Merlin a nod, knowing he is the real person to thank for this.

And then, with just enough time left, they rush out of the cave to tell King Uther the news that will save Gwen from a wrongful execution.

♛ ♛ ♛

"You guys are my heroes!"

Gwen pulls Calliope and Merlin into a tight hug after she is released from her cell and has been reunited with her father. Calliope smiles as she pulls back, "You should mainly be thanking Merlin," Calliope gives him a sly grin. "He figured everything out."

Gwen gives him another hug, "Thank you."

Calliope glances between the two of them with another grin, "I'll see you guys around." Walking up the staircase, Calliope feels waves of relief crashing in her chest knowing that Gwen is saved.

She mills through the hallways of the castle as servants carry baskets of laundry and sheets, finishing their last chores before heading to their homes for the evening. Calliope stops at an open window in an empty corridor, glancing down to the courtyard as guards take down the stake and clean up the hay. She leans forward, letting the crisp wind fan against her rosy cheeks. She breathes in the fresh air, freeing her mind of her burdens as she enjoys this one quiet moment amongst all the chaos of her life.

Light footsteps catch her attention. Calliope turns her head, finding Arthur's blue eyes on her as he walks closer to the window. His blonde hair blows to the side lightly from the breeze.

She sees him hesitate for a moment, as if deciding whether to move right past her or to stop and share whatever is burdening his thoughts. Calliope feels her breath catch in her throat, as they face each other from across the hallway, alone, unguarded. But, she doesn't let her hand reach for a weapon. Instead, she just breaks his gaze and stares at the flickering torchlight in the distance from all the homes in the low town.

Yes, she's still angry at Arthur, but now that Gwen is fine her anger has slightly dwindled... Slightly. Being alone with him, despite the shuffling feet echoing through adjacent hallways, puts her on edge. All she can think about is her hidden daggers.

"Henry wants me to throw you in jail," Calliope raises her eyebrows for a better explanation as he chooses to stand next to her. "The guard you kicked in the throat yesterday."

"Oh," Calliope nods, expecting to spend a few days in a cell. "He deserved it."

Arthur leans against the wall by the window, his eyes studying her, "Well, I managed to convince him not to tell my father about it."

Calliope freezes, eyes glinting as she blinks several times, "Why would you do that?"

"Seriously? I don't get a thank you first?"

Calliope huffs, "Thank you," she scans his expression to try and figure out what's going in his mind. "But why?" She's asking, and her mind is desperate for an honest answer. She searches his eyes for any possible clue. He's doing her favors while she's thinking of ways to kill him and get away with it. The thought makes her feel horrible inside, but she can't get caught up in feelings. That's too dangerous. "You and I...we don't exactly get along."

"That is a fact I am keenly aware of, Calliope." He inhales before a genuine look covers his face. "I told the guards to make sure you stayed in your room because I knew if I didn't, you would march into the Throne Room and start yelling curses at my father for sentencing Gwen to death," Well, that's probably right. "And he would definitely do more than just throw you in jail for that. He'd do the same if he found out how you spoke to me, and right now, you'd be getting lashed in the street."

"But why do you even care at all?"

Arthur's breath hitches as he pushes himself off the wall, and Calliope's heartbeat speeds up without permission, and that confuses her beyond measure, but she doesn't let the moment of weakness show, even though he does catch her off guard for just a second. She scolds herself for it. 

"People here are afraid to be honest with me because of who I am," says the Prince, looking into her wary gaze. "I think you're the most annoying person I've ever met. You're crude, a pain in the ass, and extremely too impulsive, but I appreciate having someone treat me like a normal person sometimes, and not so much as only the Prince of Camelot."

Calliope tries to keep her emotions tucked away and invisible and nonexistent, but the way his crystal blue eyes look into hers makes a flicker of something arise that she definitely does not want to feel—things she thought were lost in the void of death and revenge. Things she can't start to feel for him. And she hates it. She hates it with all her being so much that she could almost kill him right now for it. Almost.

"So you enjoy having someone insult you all the time?"

Arthur shakes his head, "No, you definitely need to work on that. I'm saying that I appreciate someone not being afraid to speak up when they think I'm wrong." Calliope doesn't know how to proceed, or even what to say. All she can do is stare back at him through flickering moonlight "I guess having you around really isn't that bad."

Calliope notices how close he is to her as she looks up at him; like he has forgotten about the concept of personal space. She absolutely despises that she's tempted to take another step, making the gap between them even smaller. But that's just a natural reaction. After all, he's an attractive person. He has a charming way about him, the kind that draws people in. There's a certain kindness hidden in his eyes, and when it's directed at her, it makes her insides feel warm. Any girl would feel the same in this situation. It's just her body betraying her. 

So, She steps back instead, clearing her throat, breathless "It's been a long day. I should probably go get some sleep."

Arthur acts like he's shaking himself out of a trance as he nods, "Yeah, me too."

Calliope turns around, internally slapping herself in the face. These inklings of new feelings...she wants to wash herself free of them.

Or maybe she could let them flow. Maybe instead of one, quick killing blow, she can destroy the prince from the inside out. She is not meant for soft touches and butterflies. She is steel and destruction and wrath. One lesson she has learned is how to turn every part of herself—every small feeling— into a weapon, and this time, she will wield trust. Trust she will build and build before slicing it away with a sharp echo of her dagger.

As she stops near the end of the hallway, turning to watch the prince disappear from sight, one thought sticks to her mind. You have no idea what's coming for you, Arthur Pendragon.

i know this chapter is LONG, but I really wanted to go ahead and finish episode 3. i hope you guys enjoyed!  remember to vote and leave your thoughts in the comments! also sorry for any typos its almost 2 am and my brain hurts lmao