As I entered the grand Throne Room, my heart pounded in my chest. The heavy oak doors creaked closed behind me, sealing off the room from the rest of the castle. Before me, King Arthur sat enthroned, the sheer breadth and strength of him dominating the room. His face was strong and determined, a blue gaze that could make even the bravest souls quiver in terror. His crown was firmly atop his head, while a crimson cloak cascaded off his shoulders.

Lancelot knelt before him, head bowed in submission. His face was impassive and his posture filled with reverence. My breath hitched as I took in the scene – the courtiers lining the walls, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. I felt my heart beating faster and faster – what the hell was going on?

The room itself was vast and imposing, the high vaulted ceilings adorned with frescoes that told tales of ancient battles. Torches flickered on the stone walls, casting eerie shadows across the faces of the gathered nobility. The air was thick with tension, a stifling weight pressing down upon us all.

"Guinevere," Arthur's voice boomed through the chamber, his tone commanding and stern. "Step forward."

My legs trembled beneath me as I approached the throne, fear constricting my throat. Each step felt like I was walking through molasses, my silk gown whispering against the marble floor. My eyes darted between my husband, Lancelot, and the watching courtiers, searching for any hint of what was to come. Was this it? Had he discovered our secret tryst?

"Your Majesty," I murmured, curtsying low before him. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, nails digging painfully into my palms as I fought to control my nerves.

"Rise, my queen," Arthur said, his voice cold and imperious. The lines around his mouth were taut, signalling his displeasure. Lifting my chin, I met his gaze, trying to discern what lay behind those icy eyes. Would he condemn me for my betrayal? Punish Lancelot for stealing a kiss from his queen?

As I stood before him, the room seemed to close in around me, the whispers and rustling of clothing from the assembled courtiers filling my ears. A bead of sweat trickled down my spine, making me shiver despite the warmth of the chamber.

"Guinevere, take your seat," Arthur commanded, his voice firm but devoid of anger. Relief washed over me, the tension in my chest easing slightly as I realised that perhaps this wasn't about the stolen kiss after all... What was it about, then?

I nodded, swallowing hard, and made my way to the ornate chair on the left side of Arthur's throne. As I sat down, smoothing my skirts beneath me, my gaze caught Merlin, the enigmatic wizard who always seemed to know more than he let on. His unsettling eyes met mine briefly before he gave a small nod, his expression unreadable.

"Today," began King Arthur, his voice resonating throughout the hushed room, "we gather to honour Sir Lancelot for his bravery and unwavering loyalty." I held my breath, listening intently, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to discern the true meaning behind his words. "Lancelot has proven himself time and again, most recently by saving our beloved queen from a vicious unicorn. For this, I am eternally grateful."

He paused, the silence in the room heavy with anticipation. "Sir Lancelot," he continued, his gaze now fixed upon the kneeling knight, "in recognition of your service, I hereby declare you the Protector of Queen Guinevere. You shall protect her with your life, and remain ever at her side."

Lancelot looked up, his green eyes shining with surprise and determination. He did not glance my way, but I could feel the intensity of his resolve as he bowed his head once more.

"Approach, Sir Lancelot," Arthur ordered, rising from his throne. As Lancelot moved forward, Arthur unsheathed Excalibur, the legendary sword that glinted with an ethereal light. The intricate runes carved into the blade shimmered, hinting at its magical powers. The air around it seemed to hum, as if the sword itself was alive.

With deliberate grace, King Arthur placed Excalibur upon Lancelot's head and then his right shoulder. The ceremony felt sacred, a bond being formed before our eyes. As Arthur sheathed the sword, he looked down at Lancelot with a mixture of pride and expectation.

"Arise, Sir Lancelot, Protector of Queen Guinevere," he declared, his voice ringing through the throne room.

As Lancelot stood, I couldn't help but notice the way his muscles flexed beneath his doublet, the sheer strength and power he exuded. I could feel my cheeks flush, my pulse quickening at the thought of him always by my side. A flood of desire threatened to consume me, but I forced it back, reminding myself of my duty to my people.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lancelot said, his voice steady and filled with gratitude. "I shall serve and protect Queen Guinevere with all that I am."

Unable to meet his gaze, I looked down at my hands, trembling in my lap. Though I yearned for his touch, I knew that we could never give in to our passions. Could I resist if he was always at my side?

"Now, Sir Lancelot," King Arthur commanded, his voice echoing through the grand throne room. "Present your respects to your Queen."

Lancelot strode towards me, his chiselled features framed by his wavy auburn hair, and a determined glint in his piercing green eyes. The air seemed to crackle with tension as he stopped before me, and my heart pounded wildly beneath my gown.

"My Queen," Lancelot murmured, taking my trembling hand in his warm, strong grasp. He gazed up at me, our eyes locking for a moment, and I could feel the heat building between us. "I swear to always serve and protect you from any harm that might come your way." With those words, he bowed his head and pressed his lips gently to my hand, sending shivers down my spine.

My cheeks flushed crimson, and I tried to hide my reaction to his touch. It had been foolish of me to believe I could keep my distance from him, especially now that he held the title of my protector. To think that mere moments ago I was thinking of him while I... I shook my head, trying to dispel the lustful thoughts.

However, as long as we are never alone, I can maintain control over my emotions, I told myself, watching as Lancelot released my hand and returned to his place among the Knights of the Round Table. Their gazes were filled with admiration and envy. A murmur spread through the room as some nobles congratulated Lancelot.

"Silence!" King Arthur's voice boomed, drawing everyone's attention back to him. "I have another announcement to make. A mission of great importance has arisen, and Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot shall undertake it together."

The words hung heavy in the air, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. King Arthur spoke and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. We were to travel to the treacherous Killaraus Mountains as ambassadors, seeking an audience with the enigmatic Morgana Le Fay, Queen of the region. The thought of being in such close proximity to Lancelot made my body tingle.

A knot forming in my stomach, I cast a glance towards Lancelot, whose eyes were fixed on the floor, his jaw clenched as he stood amongst the other Knights of the Round Table.

Trembling, I solemnly approached Arthur's throne.

"Your Majesty," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "is this truly necessary?"

"Indeed it is," he replied firmly, his eyes never wavering from mine. "Our alliance with Morgana Le Fay is vital to the stability of our realm. You and Sir Lancelot shall depart within two days."

As the weight of our mission settled upon me, I struggled to maintain my composure. How could I possibly keep my desires in check when we were to be so close for so long? Yet I had no choice – my duty to my people and to Camelot demanded that I find the strength to resist temptation.

"Very well, Your Majesty," I replied, bowing my head to hide the rising panic in my eyes. "I will do as you command."

"Good," King Arthur said, satisfaction evident in his voice. "I shall join you in your chambers later to discuss further details."

With that, King Arthur stood up from his throne, turned around and strode purposefully towards the war room, his knights following closely behind him.

Feeling the weight of the court's inquisitive gazes upon me, I made my way to my bedchambers. Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it, allowing myself a moment to process the situation. Two days - such little time to come to terms with the impending journey and the challenges that lay ahead.

Why did Arthur choose me for this mission? Surely there were more qualified individuals who could undertake this task without the risk of succumbing to temptation. As I paced the room, my thoughts raced, desperately trying to recall what I knew about Killaraus Mountains. I remembered tales of underground caves where the fae lived, hidden from the world above. They were secretive and dangerous people, and the alliance with Morgana Le Fay was not something to be taken lightly.

My thoughts continued to linger on the fae residing in Killaraus, many of whom were rumoured to be outcasts or criminals from other fae territories. Morgana Le Fay ruled this kingdom, an enigmatic figure who, according to my mother, might be the most powerful fae alive – even more so than the deceased Lady of the Lake. Morgana was an oddity among her kind; she had been the first to strike a deal with King Arthur, thereby avoiding invasion by forging an alliance with him. I couldn't help but despise her for it.

Wanting to make myself more comfortable, I began to remove my clothes, one garment at a time. The air felt cooler against my skin as I shed my layers, until I stood completely naked, goosebumps prickling across my body. I slid onto the soft sheets of the bed, hoping that their warmth would soothe me.

It wasn't long before King Arthur entered the room, his eyes darkening with desire as they swept over my exposed form. My heart raced as he began to unfasten his own clothing, revealing his muscular and powerful body – the body of a warrior king, the body of a beast.

"Your Majesty," I said, attempting to stall, "Didn't you have something important to discuss with me?" I hoped that my voice did not betray the tremor of unease I felt inside.

"Indeed, Guinevere," he replied, his voice low and steady. He paused, glancing at me as if contemplating whether to speak further. Instead, he approached the bed, every step echoing through the chamber. I found myself holding my breath as he neared me, my body tense with fear.

"Then, what is it that you wish to discuss?" I asked hesitantly, trying to buy more time.

"Later," he replied, his voice holding a steely undertone. "First, I have other needs to attend to." He climbed onto the bed, his strong arms supporting his weight as he positioned himself above me. My heart pounded in my chest, and I tried to focus on anything but the impending intimacy I wished to avoid.

"Please, Arthur..." I whispered, but my plea went unheard. His lips crashed down onto mine, muffling any further protestations.

"Shut up," he murmured against my mouth, his hands roaming over my body with an urgency that seemed excessive. I tried to mentally distance myself from the situation, but it was difficult to escape the reality of King Arthur's touch, his fingers gripping my hips and his breath hot against my skin.

"Arthur, I really think we should talk about--" I began, but my words were cut off as he silenced me once more with a forceful hand on my mouth.

"Silence, Guinevere!" Arthur commanded, his voice as cold and unforgiving as the stone walls of our chamber. "You will do as I say. We shall talk later." His eyes burned with a fiery intensity that I had not seen in him before.

Submitting to his demand, I reluctantly opened my legs, wincing slightly as he crawled between them. The sight of Arthur's naked body was imposing, his muscles rippling beneath his taut skin as he moved towards me. A massive erection stood proudly between his thighs, announcing his intentions quite clearly.

As Arthur reached for my breasts, I could not help but think of Lancelot – how tenderly he would touch me, how gentle and caring he would be. I closed my eyes, imagining it was Lancelot's fingers that danced over my nipples, teasing them into stiff peaks. It was a guilty pleasure that made the ordeal more bearable.

Arthur's grip on my hair tightened, yanking my head back with a force that brought tears to my eyes. With a sudden thrust, he penetrated me, filling me completely. I bit down on my lip to stifle a cry as he began to fuck me, each stroke rough and intense.

"Mmmh... Lancelot..." I thought, my mind drifting to the handsome knight who held my heart captive. I imagined his strong arms around me, his green eyes filled with love and desire. It was his touch that drove me wild, his breath hot against my neck as we shared a forbidden passion.

"Take it, slut," Arthur growled, his cock slamming into me with brutal efficiency. It was clear that he sought only his own satisfaction, uncaring of my discomfort or needs. And yet, lost in my fantasies of Lancelot, I found myself responding, my body betraying me with each desperate gasp and moan.

"Harder, Lancelot," I silently pleaded, my nails digging into the bedcovers as Arthur pounded me mercilessly. "Oh, God, Lancelot... please!" The pleasure that washed over me was tainted, knowing that it was not my husband who truly held sway over my body and soul. But I didn't care.

Finally, Arthur came inside me, his seed filling me with a warmth that only served to remind me of how cold our marriage was. As he withdrew, I tried to regain control of my scattered thoughts, to banish the images of Lancelot from my mind.

I lay there, still and silent, as I pondered why Arthur was sending me on this mission to the dangerous Killaraus Mountains, waiting for his breath to settle so I could ask him. Even more terrifying than that was the thought of being alone with Lancelot - could I really maintain control over my emotions while facing his magnetic allure?

Only time would tell, and it seemed that time was running out.