CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST PART ONE ( ii. )
( warning—this chapter contains explicit sexual content
it's the moment you've all been waiting 46 chapters for...
if you're not into smut scenes, then you can just skip the last scene in this chapter! )

Calliope rests her arm on the table, holding a book in her other hand as her legs rest outstretched on the bench underneath. A comfortable silence drifts in the air, the scribbling of Gaius's quill as the only sound in his chambers. She keeps her thoughts at bay by focusing on the words before her, as if they are the only things that matter in the world. After last night...well, she hasn't exactly been in the best mental state, and sitting quietly with a book while Gaius works seemed like a safe option.

Her words to the Prince had been harsh, but that didn't change the truth within them. The best action is for him to move on and try to make things work with Victoria. After all, she is the woman he's going to marry, and what does he expect Calliope to do? Be the woman he sneaks away to when he's bored?

Besides, she's going through too much already. She's barely hanging on in the wake of her mother's death. Anything could make her snap, and the drinking and reading and tagging along with Gaius is all that stands between her and a rageful outburst.

She can feel Gaius's eyes flickering to her every so often. Finally, Calliope sighs and closes her book, "What is it?"

"I know you're struggling, Cal," Gaius says, "and I just want you to remember that I'm always here to talk."

"I know," she answers, looking to the floor. "I haven't really felt like talking—to anyone really."

He nods, "Everyone deals with grief in different ways," Calliope is completely aware that her methods aren't exactly the healthiest options, but they are much better than her alternatives. "I've noticed you haven't been to the training grounds in almost a month. I welcome your interest in my work, but your skills have improved Camelot's defenses, and you've become an important figure here, especially to Arthur and the knights. I just...I don't want you to lose sight of that."

"I'm tired, Gaius," Calliope finally admits, her throat burning—her chest caving. "I look at my sword, and the only thing I can think about is how I couldn't save my mother, and then everything else; my father, Sepharin, the blood wraiths, it just hits me, all at once," she shakes her head, trying to blink the tears away from her eyes. "I'm just so fucking tired, and I don't know how to keep going anymore."

The physician stands. Calliope swings her legs over the bench as he sits next to her, placing his hand on her shoulder, "We take it one day at a time, Cal. One day at a time, and we do the best we can with each day we're given. You'll have a lot of hard days, but eventually, I promise, it will get easier."

He embraces her in a quick hug, extending as much comfort as he can in the midst of her pain. Calliope lets out a shaky breath, and she pulls away, wiping a stray tear, as the door to the physician's chamber swings open.

Merlin trots into the room with a basket in his hands. His eyes fall to Calliope, "Are you busy?" She shakes her head. "Can you help me with something?"

"What is it?"

"Um..." Merlin's eyes flicker to Gaius, who raises his eyebrows. "I think it's best if you just come with me, and I'll explain on the way."

The assassins stands up, looking over her shoulder at Gaius, "That's Merlin's way of saying, 'Hey, I have a stupid plan brewing. Want to join?'"

The two of them leave the physician's chambers and begin walking down the hallway, "Lady Catrina just left for a morning ride with Uther. I'm going to search her room."

Calliope halts, bringing her hand out to stop him, "You're going to do what?"

"Gaius told you about her illness?" Calliope nods. "He had me bring medicine to her—the only medicine that's ever given her any relief—and she said she didn't need it, and that she's in perfect health."

"That's definitely odd, but it doesn't prove anything."

"Exactly, which is why I'm going to snoop through her things."

"Bloody hell, and let me guess," Calliope sighs, "you want me to be the look-out?"

"Yep."

Once again, for the hundredth time, Calliope is roped into one of Merlin's stupid plans. She curses under her breath as she stands outside the door of Lady Catrina's room, ready to knock against the wood in case she hears approaching footsteps. The sorcerer has only been inside about five minutes.

Even if Gaius and Merlin's theory about the Lady Catrina proves to be true—that she isn't who she says she is—it will be their word against hers, and the King seems rather enthralled with Camelot's new guest. His record when it comes to listening to other's opinions is...not favorable. Calliope wouldn't be surprised, though, if the Lady has some ulterior motive by coming to the city. If her goal is to charm Uther, she might have a shot at being crowned Queen. Power hungry people are everywhere, but they'll need more proof than suspected ambitions to bring concerns to the King directly.

When Calliope hears voices coming from the room, she tenses up, and her hand ghosts the sheath of her dagger. She doesn't draw it. She listens and waits for any sign of trouble until Merlin quickly exits the room and practically jumps into a run.

"Tail!" he exclaims as Calliope hurries to catch up with him. "He has a bloody tail!"

"What?"

She can only follow him back to Gaius's chambers as he mutters nonsense to himself. Calliope tries to piece the information together, and she's catching her breath as Merlin bursts through Gaius's door.

"Something definitely wasn't right in Lady Catrina's room," he says.

"What did you find?"

Calliope nods, "Yeah, you're acting kind of crazy."

"There was a strange smell, and I could have sworn her bed hasn't been slept in," Merlin's gaze shifts as he walks past Gaius. "There was something else...Jonas. As I was leaving, I thought I saw something." She remembers his wild expression as he left the room, "This is gonna sound mad, but it looked like Jonas had a tail."

Gaius raises his eyebrows, "A tail? You're sure?"

"I only glimpsed it for a moment. I could be wrong."

"No—no, I believe you."

Calliope sits down on the bench, placing her chin in her palm, "A man with a tail..." she shakes her head. "This place is so fucking weird."

Gaius snorts before turning back to Merlin, "We must keep an eye on her. A very close eye."

The assassin stands, "Well, count me out. Man with tail sounds like a Merlin problem."

"A Merlin problem?"

She nods, "Yeah, it sounds like something to do with magic and since you have magic and I don't..." Calliope trails off, and Merlin furrows his eyebrows, something flashing behind his eyes. "It's a Merlin problem."

"Right," he breathes.

"Are you okay?" She asks, causing his eyes to snap back to her.

"What? Yeah. You're right. I'll handle it," and then, the sorcerer hurries out of the room.

Turning to Gaius, Calliope shakes her head, "Sometimes, I think Merlin's losing it a little."

♛ ♛ ♛

When Calliope hears pounding on her door in the middle of the night, she thinks it's part of a drunken dream. After all, she had been at the tavern again. This time, she got into a brawl with a man who wouldn't give her money she won fairly in a card game. For once, she actually didn't cheat, and how was she rewarded? With a stingy man who she sucker-punched and threatened until he handed over the golden coins. When she finally slid into bed, after stumbling back to the castle, she fell right asleep.

She had only gotten about an hour of sleep, and she struggles to make it to the door, yanking it open to find no other than Merlin standing before her—panting frantically, his eyes wide and sweat caking his pale skin. Calliope rubs her sleepy eyes, just to make sure this is real.

"Merlin?"

"I've just discovered something...shocking...and disgusting."

The assassin sighs, "Do I even want to know, wizard boy?"

"It'll be better if I just show you."

"It's the middle of the night!"

"Just come with me!"

Calliope reaches beside the door and grabs her belt, strapping it to her side, not even bothering to change out of her night clothes as she slips on some shoes, "This better be good, Merlin."

She follows him into the silent and empty corridor. They walk out of the castle, al the way down the steps and towards a hidden entrance that leads underground. Merlin holds up his fingers to his lips, telling her to stay quiet as they follow the lit torches. Calliope can hear distant grunts coming from a room at the end of the chilly hall, along with a smell that grows more potent with each step.

It's a struggle to keep herself from gagging. The smell is like rotten food mixed with horse manure and an awful, terrible body odor that makes her eyes water. Someone's died down here. That's what she concludes, and that's why Merlin looked so pale. It's the only thing that makes sense. But, as she stands behind the young sorcerer, peeking over his shoulder, she almost loses all the contents in her stomach because Lady Catrina is...a troll. A giant, stinking, fucking troll.

Her skin is a purplish gray with lumps all over. She has giant tusks that protrude from her mouth, and the smell...the smell is even worse here. She lies in a bed made of all sorts of rotting items, and horse shit. Calliope has to bite her tongue to keep from cursing loudly or throwing up. One or the other is going to happen if she doesn't get out of there soon. Calliope nudges Merlin's shoulder, and then, they're sprinting for the stairs. They run and run until the assassin can finally breathe fresh air again, and she bends over, placing her hands on her knees and gasping several times.

"That—" Calliope points to the descent underground, "was the most horrible, disgusting thing I have ever seen in my entire fucking life. You could have just told me she was troll!"

"Would you have believed me?"

Calliope straightens her back, "Good point."

"We need to tell Gaius."

They don't waste any time, but Calliope is still trying to process the fact that Uther is being seduced by a troll. Honestly...it's kind of amusing. Thinking of the King falling in love with whatever she just saw underneath the castle causes her to stifle light laughter.

As Calliope walks through Gaius's door, she finds that he's still awake, bent over a scroll with a magnifying glass and a small candle. He perks up when he sees the two of them, and Merlin takes a seat across from the physician.

He breathes out a long sigh and explains everything he and Calliope had regrettably witnessed.

Gaius's face pinches as he ponders the information, "What you saw is seldom seen, Merlin. Trolls despise all other living things, especially humans. They prefer to lurk in the darkness of their nests, feasting on rotten filth."

Calliope shivers, "Yep, I don't think I'll be eating for a week after seeing that."

"And Jonas? Is he a troll too?"

"Who can tell what manner of creature he is?"

"It makes no sense," Merlin says, "If trolls like to lurk in their caves so much, what's this one doing in Camelot?"

"Trolls are greedy," Gaius answers. "Lady Catrina is like the rest of her kind—she lusts after wealth and power."

How did you win the favor of the King? The question makes perfect sense now. "Uther," Calliope says.

Gaius sets his hands on his knees, "We've reached the point of no return. Uther has to be told."

As the physician stands from his chair, Merlin looks at him, dumbfounded, "You're going to tell Uther that his new lady friend's a troll?"

"That's exactly what I'm going to do."

Calliope and Merlin exchange a glance, and the assassin scoffs, "Good luck with that."

Stopping at the door, Gaius turns to her, "Thank you, Cal."

♛ ♛ ♛

It's safe to say that Gaius's news did not go over well with King Uther, but accusing someone of being a troll is not something to believed without solid proof. As Calliope stands near the training grounds, Quinn and Victoria close behind, she watches the troll disguised a Lady with keen eyes. Her movements are perfectly practiced as she entrances the King, throwing her head back with soft laughter and a kind smile. How could something so ugly and horrible be beneath her skin? And how would they ever get Uther to believe it? The echo of clanking steel pulls her eyes away from Catrina, and they instead focus on Arthur and the knights. She's not here to join them. Lady Victoria had stated that she wanted to watch her betrothed on the training field today...with Calliope as an escort for safety measures. Calliope invited Quinn along as a neutral party to stop her from doing anything violent.

Calliope crosses her arms over her sleeveless black tunic, finding small critiques in some of the new knight's movements. A vital area of the body left unprotected too long, a shaky stance, and sloppy swings. She shifts her weight, biting her cheek as the urge to step in takes over. Her hand ghosts the sheath of her sword, chest clenching as she tries to force herself to hold the handle. Then, as Arthur disarms one of the knights swinging too carelessly, she feels Lady Victoria coming to stand beside her. Calliope's body tenses as she bites down growing rage.

Her eyes flicker over to Victoria's face for half a second. The dark-haired Lady has her gaze on the Prince, and when he looks over, she offers him a small wave. Arthur raises his own hand, his face going more solemn when his eyes catch Calliope's. The assassin looks away.

"It's for the best, you know," she hears Victoria say as she caught onto their subtle exchange.

"What is?" Calliope asks.

Victoria turns towards her, "Things not working out between the two of you. I mean, come on, I may not like you, but I know you're not stupid. You and him, it'd only be a disaster, and I think you finally realized that."

The assassin's jaw twitches as she shifts her body towards Victoria, "I'm not in the mood for this today."

"Oh, I'm not trying to be cruel. I'm simply inquiring that we put our differences aside."

"Are you?" Calliope shakes her head. "And why's that, might I ask?"

"Whether I like it or not, you care about Arthur, as do I," Victoria clasps her hands together in front of her. "One day, the Prince and I will be married, and one day we'll have children. Children that need to be protected, and I know, even as much as you may hate me, you would show love to any child of Arthur's."

Calliope's eyebrows pinch together, "What are you asking me?"

"I don't trust you to keep me from harm, but I trust you to protect him," she motions to the Prince, "and his future children. I've decided you are a much better ally than enemy, especially in this court where you have the favor of so many," Calliope scoffs. "Don't act like you aren't aware of how the Knights of Camelot have grown to love and respect you. They may even prefer Arthur to be with you."

"What they prefer doesn't matter," Calliope snaps. "You're the woman his father wants him to marry. That outweighs everything."

"Perhaps," Lady Victoria turns her eyes back to the training field. "Through my time here, I've come to accept some unchangeable truths. One of which is that no matter what may unfold between Arthur and I, he could never love me the way he so obviously loves you," Calliope meets her stare. "I will never breathe a word of your past relationship with him as long as you can promise me one thing," Calliope nods, and the Lady releases a heavy breath. "Give us a chance. Let Arthur and I have the opportunity to find our own love for each other. You and I both know the marriage is inevitable, so just... just let us try to be happy." Lady Victoria's request hits the assassin right in the chest. "But, he'll never even try with me as long as he thinks there's still hope with you."

Calliope wishes she could force those words not to be true, but she can't deny it. The Prince deserves the chance to be happy—to build a beautiful future with a loving wife and children and a peaceful kingdom. Calliope doesn't even know if she ever wants to get married, or have children. A future with her would be uncertain, and she knows Arthur deserves better than that.

So, she breathes in deeply, and nods her head, "I will grant you this promise," Lady Victoria's shoulders relax, but Calliope's voice darkens, "but if you ever do anything to hurt him, I won't hesitate to kill you."

Lady Victoria's eyes flash with fear, and she swallows, "Then we have an understanding."

The assassin steps away, "Have one of the other guards escort you back. I need to do something."

Giving no other explanation, Calliope leaves Lady Victoria near the training field. Her footsteps crunch against pebbles as she walks down the path that leads to the forest. One foot in front of the other, she keeps her gaze forward—into the swaying branches until they tower over her, blocking the fading summer sun from her skin. The light splinters through openings in the trees, cascading down onto her as she moves deeper into the forest.

Birds flutter from their nests, insects scatter, and squirrels scramble up trunks. Calliope stops, closing her eyes and listening to the sounds around her—the creaking of trees, the whistling wind whose whispers drift to her ears, and the rustling of leaves underneath small animals. The assassin, wraps her palm around the handle of her sword, letting the familiar touch of it consume her mind. She breathes deeply—in and out...in and out—until her breathing is one with the breeze. The rocking branches are her beating war drums, the sun her urging force of one thousand blades. Calliope reaches into the deepest part of her being, grasping for something to be enough to draw her weapon once more. To wield the kiss of steel.

Everything comes crashing into place; to a dangerous, lethal sensation that makes her finally find the drive she's been craving...Rage.

And then, Calliope unsheathes her sword.

♛ ♛ ♛

Just as Calliope had finally been able to spar for the first time in a month, defeating her opponent with an unrelenting strength, no mercy in sight, so much so that the poor boy didn't even last ten seconds, King Uther called everyone to the council chambers.

She taps her foot anxiously on the ground as she stands by Sir Leon, awaiting the King's presence and an explanation for this interruption of her day. If he doesn't show soon, she's walking out.

"It was good to see you back at training, Cal," Leon says from beside her. "I know the past month hasn't been easy."

Calliope nods, "I've missed hanging out with you. I'm sorry for my distance."

"I understand," he looks down at the blonde. "You've been dealing with a lot."

"That's one big fucking understatement," Calliope says through a small laugh.

And then, before they can continue their conversation, the doors of the council chamber are pulled open. King Uther strides in, Lady Catrina beside him with her hand in his own. They walk to the front of the room, and stop right in front of Uther's throne.

He looks around at the crowd of people, "Thank you all for coming. You're all, no doubt wondering why I've gathered you here today. Though we live in dark times, today, I bring you light and love. It gives me the greatest pleasure to inform you that the houses of Tragor and Pendragon are to be united in the closest bond of all," the King speaks with awe and softness in his voice that isn't right. The way his eyes are glazed over...it's like an enchantment has taken over. "I am to marry Lady Catrina of Tragor," A moment of shock comes over the crowd, before everyone begins clapping. The Lady leans close to Uther to whisper something. "I am to marry Lady Catrina...tomorrow."

Calliope's eyes flicker across the room where Merlin and Gaius exchange a quick look. She sees a familiar determination on his face as he focuses his power on Lady Catrina, and Calliope watches closely to see if she can spot any changes in the troll.

"This union heralds a new dawn for the kingdom," Uther says. "A new beginning, and a new Queen for all here in Camelot," Just slightly, Calliope can see her skin shifting. "I could not have hoped for a better match. I hope you will all share in our joy." But, as soon as the slight changes in her face appear, they vanish. "Thank you."

Uther, with a bright, uncharacteristic smile on his face, leads Lady Catrina out of the room with more clapping following them. He has no idea that the woman he's about to pledge his life to is an actual, horrifying troll, and Calliope actually finds the entire situation all too hilarious.

But the amusement she receives from Uther's misfortunes doesn't last. Not as she walks the halls of the palace amongst approaching nightfall. Servants continue their last duties for the night, nodding politely at the assassin as she passes them. Her mind wanders back to her conversation with Lady Victoria. Her promise. She needs to end things with Arthur permanently. In a way that won't let him hold out hope for everything to work out. She has to break his heart, not just in half, but into thousands of fractured pieces. Her own cracks just at the thought, but she inhales sharply, stepping into the night air for some relief.

Light rain begins to trickle from the sky, tapping against cobblestone through distant rolls of thunder. Calliope extends her arm so the water droplets cling to her skin. The cool sensation calms her and puts her mind at ease. What will she do to get over the Prince? A few tumbles with a stranger? Maybe she'll venture back to the Night Wagon...no she can't use Ezlyn like that. Calliope chews on her bottom lip, wondering how she can ever find someone else, or feel anything close to what she does with Arthur. Is it even possible?

When she came to the city, she only wanted a small escape. She could have never imagined staying for over a year. Or growing to care about so many people within these walls—people she would give her life for. A year ago, she wouldn't have given her life up at all. Not with all her unfinished business with Sepharin—not when all she really cared about was revenge. All of that feels like ages ago, her first time meeting Arthur—their back and forth banter that sparked her interest, and then his caring nature that captured her heart for good. How could she let it all go?

Calliope leans against a pillar, letting her arm fall back to her side, and as she turns to go back into the castle, her entire body freezes.

Prince Arthur stands, reclining back against the wall of the palace, watching her with his arms crossed over his chest. Calliope's heart betrays her, skipping a beat as their gazes intertwine.

She speaks first, clearing her throat, "How long have you been standing there?"

"I'm surprised I caught you off guard for once."

"Well, I've had a lot on my mind," Calliope answers, suddenly nervous underneath his stare. How does she even say this? "Arthur, I know we haven't been on the best terms lately, but you have to understand that I'm trying my best."

"I know that," he says. "And I've tried to give you as much space as you need."

The assassin twiddles her thumbs as the rain starts to pick up. She looks across the space between them, which might as well be an entire ocean. She feels him wanting to reach out and touch her, and the amount of restraint it takes for him to remain in his spot across from her is crushing. They haven't really touched at all, other than when he carried her out of the tavern, in a month. Not even an accidental ghost of a touch. And she craves it. She craves him.

Calliope feels her chest heaving as his eyes burn into hers. He steps closer, reaches for her. Finally, she shakes her head, "No. No, I can't do this anymore."

"Calliope—" she turns, and she walks down the stairs, right into the pouring rain. That should knock some sense back into her. It certainly cools her down at least. "Calliope, wait!"

All she can hear is the rain pounding onto stone, and the faint echo of his footsteps following after her. When he catches up to her at the bottom of the stairs, Arthur grabs her arm and forces her to look at him, water slinking down his face. Both of them are completely drenched, but Calliope doesn't care. She just needs to get away from him before she does something stupid.

"Look at me, Cal. Look at me!"

"It's all useless! Just walk away, Arthur!" Calliope yells, shoving his chest, and he stumbles back a few paces. "There's no reason for you to still want me after everything that's happened." He shouldn't want her, and she shouldn't want him. It's all a disaster—it'll never work out. Why has she ever thought it would? An assassin and a prince?

"Well, what if I do?" he yells back. "What then?"

"Then you're a fucking idiot!" Calliope exclaims amongst the roar of the rain.

"Don't say that. Don't—"

"How many times are we going to have to go over this, Arthur? This has been doomed from the beginning, and I was a fool for ever thinking differently."

His face scrunches in denial, "Oh, come on, Cal. Be honest for once. This is about your constant need to push people away when they get too close to you! You admitted to me back in Finley that you hurt people before they can hurt you, and that's what you're trying to do now!"

"You're engaged. Does that not matter at all to you?" She settles on a different tactic. "What about upholding your honor and respect and morals? You'll throw all that away, really?"

"I'll find a way out of it."

"You won't. And it'll only be more painful for everyone if we think differently."

"Now you're just trying to be cruel. Isn't that your go to tactic? Well it's not working this time, sweetheart."

Calliope's blood boils, "God, when are you going to get it? I can't give you what you need!"

The Prince throws out his arms, "And what is it that you think I need, Cal? Go on, tell me!

"A fucking future!" Her eyes bore into his deep, blue gaze. "A future with marriage and kids and a Queen by your side. Don't you get it, Arthur? That's not me."

Arthur takes a step closer, his eyes burning as his hair sticks to his forehead, "You're the one who doesn't get it," the assassin shakes her head. He's right in front of her now, and Calliope inhales deeply, her chest aflame with anger—anger for him and for the world and for how all she wants to do is grab him and cover his lips with her own. Her breath is shaky as he finally says, "You are my future."

If Arthur doesn't kiss her, Calliope might die right then and there from the ocean that hits her chest—an ocean of butterflies and desire and need all at once—and she isn't sure who moves first, just that they crash into each other and everything around her fractures into nothing. Suddenly, it doesn't matter that she's an assassin and he's a prince. Or that he's promised to someone else. All that matters is how his lips move against hers with such an urgency that she struggles to stay on two feet.

Calliope gasps when he deepens the kiss, and she parts her lips to allow his tongue to dance with her own. She leans into him, grasping at his shirt to stay steady. His hands rake against her back, reaching up to intertwine with her soft hair. When he nips against her bottom lip, Calliope moans through the kiss, and something shifts inside him. All of a sudden, he's backing her up, her spine colliding with a pillar. Calliope tilts her head to the side, her hands in his hair as he kisses down her neck, all the way to her collarbone and back up to her jaw before his lips devour hers once again.

Neither one of them are thinking clearly. They're in the courtyard, where anyone can walk out and see them, but Calliope can't form coherent thoughts when Arthur's lips are on her skin. She melts underneath his touch, and nothing else matters.

Eventually, they break apart just enough to walk across the courtyard, Arthur's hand guiding her up the steps. Their clothes are dripping water onto the floor as they walk calmly through the hallways at a safe distance from each other, neutral expressions on their faces. Calliope's heart is pounding faster than ever, an awakened heat expanding to her every vein. Their steps echo in her ears, and the walk to his room is much longer than she would like. Any longer, and she might just pull him into a random closet.

When they reach his door, Arthur turns the handle and pushes it open. She barely has a chance to gasp when he pushes her against the door to shut it, and any chance at self-control vanishes in that moment. He kisses her roughly—hungrily, and she meets him with equal force, scraping her fingers against his scalp. Arthur groans, and the sound sends fire through the assassin's blood.

She almost pouts when he suddenly stops. His hands on her ribcage just under her breasts. His pupils are blown wide with lust, and he breathes heavily, "Are you—are you sure you want to do this?"

Calliope puts her hands on his strong shoulders, and then, she reaches down to untuck his shirt from his pants. Arthur raises his hands, allowing her to pull the shirt off and toss it away, her eyes gleaming with want, "Yes," she says, her voice breathy and desperate for his touch. "I'm sure."

His fingers ghost her cheek, trailing down her neck, leaving goosebumps in their wake. All of the fast-paced desire has suddenly shifted as he begins untying the knots on the back of her tunic, his eyes never leaving hers. Calliope helps him shrug the material off, listening as it hits the floor. This is more than finally exploring the physical connection that has always been present between them. There is so much more flickering in the air—an overwhelming sensation she's never felt with anyone before.

She feels her heart leap as he picks her up, their bare chests pressed against one another, and she wraps her legs around his waist. Calliope can feel the hardness pressing against his pants as he walks her to the bed. The feeling of having him so close sends a shrill of excitement that pools between her legs. The Prince gently lays her down on the bed.

Arthur drags his hands down her body, his fingertips trailing her side and then her thighs. Calliope bites down on her lip, but she can't withhold the moan as he begins peppering kisses on her stomach, moving up until his mouth is on her breast. Her hands tangle in his dark blond hair as she throws her head back on the pillow, her back arching as his hips move against her own. The friction has her head swirling, their bodies are pressed together, but she wants him even closer. She needs more.

"I think I like this," he says against her skin as he kisses down her stomach again, but his eyes wander up to meet hers, a smirk on his lips. "Having you practically begging for me to touch you."

Calliope sits up, twisting her legs and switching their positions so she's straddling him. She quirks an eyebrow, grinding her hips down onto him, and his eyes roll back, "We'll see who ends up being the one begging."

He accepts her challenge with a sly grin, and she leans down to kiss his muscled chest, dragging her teeth against his skin lightly. The sound that comes from his throat is like a low growl, and the need within her entire body only escalates.

There's still too many clothes separating them. Arthur seems to come to the same conclusion as he flips them again, his finger undoing the buttons of her trousers, and then he slides them from her hips, leaving her in only a thin pair of underwear. He leans back to admire her beautiful body, and he swears under his breath, his eyes dark.

His own pants join hers on the floor, and when his fingers begin trailing up her thigh, Calliope's breath hitches. Their eyes lock as his fingers ghost the edge of her underwear. She's basically liquid underneath his touch, and she's not sure how much longer she can hold out. She feels his fingers pressing against her, and she grits her teeth. Arthur only smirks.

When his fingers slip past her underwear and finally reach where she wants him the most, she can't help but cry out, "Fuck," she's incapable of thought. Her skin is burning, every inch of her is consumed with fire. As his fingers move faster, the noises coming from her lips only encourage him even more. "Arthur..." When his name leaves her lips with a breathy moan, he can't control himself any longer.

Arthur pulls her underwear down her legs, and then discards his own. She's already trembling with need as he hovers over her, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

"We can stop if you want," he says, wanting to make sure she's completely sure of this.

Calliope answers by reaching between them, taking his length in her hand. His breath hitches in his throat, and then she guides him to her entrance.

Both of them gasp as their bodies come together. Calliope rakes her hands down his back, and as he moves inside of her, every hope she had of keeping some semblance of control snaps away. This is complete ecstasy—a brand new high neither one of them ever wants to come down from—their bodies molding together so perfectly as if the fates have woven them for one another and no one else. Nothing could have prepared her for how good he feels—how she's already completely addicted to the sensation of him inside her.

And as they jump over the edge together, Calliope finishes with his name on her lips.

When he collapses on her, stroking her hair and kissing her sweaty skin lightly, she stares at the ceiling, breathing heavily.

She can only stare, amazed at the pleasure that just exploded through her body. Arthur rolls off her, his chest heaving as he stares at the ceiling as well.

They turn their heads to look at each other.

Calliope grins widely, and he mirrors her expression.

She shakes her head with a small laugh, "Holy fuck."

♛ ♛ ♛

GUYS I HAVE NEVER WRITTEN SMUT BEFORE.
i was so nervous for this scene. it was originally supposed to happen in chapter 48, but it kind of just happened earlier. i wasn't sure how much detail to go into, and i literally rewrote this so many times. it took me 3 HOURS to write this scene lmao. smut is not really my thing, but i wanted to give it a try. there will be a few more smut scenes throughout part two, so let me know if you guys want me to spice it up even more or if you think it should be taken down a notch.

ALSO
this story is so close to 100k!! so this is an important announcement:
when this story reaches 100k, i will release a scene of your choosing. you can vote on which one you would like to read by commenting your choice

1. Arthur and Merlin planning Cal's birthday breakfast (from 1x05)
2. Arthur and Uther conversation about Cal after she won the duels. (bonus episode)
3. Arthur questioning Leon to figure out if he has feelings for Cal ( from 2x01)

like always, remember to vote and comment your thoughts and your vote :)