Chapter Sixteen

 

At any time, any portion of this Contract may be renegotiated by the parties, to reflect their current and/or changing circumstances.  Both parties must agree to the changes, without duress, or the Contract cannot be altered.

Once altered, the changes will be binding.  Unless they want to alter it again.

Clause 14- Renegotiation of the Contract

 

Gwen checked on Avalon at least three times a night, so it didn’t take her long to realize her daughter was missing.  When she saw that Avi’s ridiculously pink bedroom was empty, panic seized Gwen’s heart.

“Avalon?”  She yanked open the jam-packed closet, looked under the overwrought canopy bed, peered behind the gigantic dollhouse in the corner, and searched beneath the ever-growing mountains of toys that Midas wasn’t supposed to be buying, but the little girl was nowhere to be seen.

What if the Scarecrow had her?

Gwen turned and dashed from the room, heading for the massive staircase.  “Avalon!”  She raced downstairs, her eyes scanning for the familiar mop of messy curls.  “Avalon!”  Her gaze fell on Trystan who was leaning against the wall, whittling on a piece of blackened wood with a machete-sized knife.

That son of a bitch was supposed to be watching her daughter!

Furious and frightened beyond imagining, she advanced on the gryphon.  “Where is my baby!?”  She would rip his wings off with her bare hands if…

The sound of Avalon’s laughter cut through Gwen’s terror like a bucket of cold water.  She nearly sobbed with relief, dashing for Midas’ office.  The door was partially open so she could see that Avalon was safe and sound, sitting on one of Midas’ gaudy chairs.

“Oh thank God.”  She braced one hand against the door jam, trying to calm down.  She didn’t want to let Avalon see her so upset.  She covered her eyes with her other palm, barely holding back tears.  Avi was safe.  That was all that mattered.

“The child wanted Midas to tell her a bedtime story.”  Trystan reported from behind her.

“A bedtime story?”  Gwen repeated incredulously, her heart still hammering in her chest.

“A ‘nice’ one.”  He sneered out the word.  “Apparently, suffering prisoners are not suitable, no matter how amusing their broken limbs are to witness.”

Gwen had no idea what that meant.  “Midas is supposed to be ignoring Avi.  It’s all outlined in Clause 3 of the Contract- ‘Care and Protection of Avalon Pendragon.’”

“That child is impossible to ignore.  Believe me.”  He refocused on his whittling.  “I finally realized it’s easier just to choose a damn doll, rather than listen to her nag.”

That muttered complaint actually diverted Gwen’s attention for a beat.  “You played dolls with Avalon?”  The gryphon was --without question-- the scariest man she’d ever met.  The scarred wings were like something out of a nightmare and his arms were the size of tattooed tree trunks.  It was hard to picture him sitting on the floor of that frilly pink room and accessorizing tiny fashion outfits.

Trystan sent Gwen a glower.  “It was not ‘playing.’  It is training.  We reenacted epic battles of old.”

“Oh.”  What else was she supposed to say to that?

He kept talking, not convinced that she fully understood.  “The child must learn the strategies from great wars, if she is ever to wage her own.  I fashioned her doll to represent Lyrssa Highstorm, vanished empress of my people and tyrant of the skies, seeking glorious vengeance upon all who wronged her.”

“This is the doll that Midas armed with a letter opener, I take it.”  It wasn’t really a question.  “Avalon likes to draw pictures of Lyrssa, too.”  She’d been doing them for months.  Imagining the lost queen of the gryphon seemed to comfort her.

Trystan grunted.  “Once Lyrssa was properly outfitted, her foes were slain by the score.  Their entrails rained from above, for hours upon end.”  He paused.  “The child now needs more toys.  Many died in the slaughter.”

Gwen squinted at him, wondering if Midas knew his most trusted guard was a lunatic.  “Do you drink a lot?”  She asked bluntly.

“Only the blood of my enemies.”

Gwen’s eyebrows climbed.  Maybe he was joking.  He had to be joking.  “How many people have you killed?”  She asked, before she could stop herself.

“Not enough.”  Trystan intoned darkly, glancing her way again.  “And, unlike some, I’ve never killed a king.”

She frowned.  “When are you going to stop accusing me killing Arthur?”

“When I’m satisfied you have no plans for a repeat performance.”

Gwen sighed in frustration.  This just wasn’t going to work, unless one of them bent a little.  She took a deep breath and went out on a limb, trusting her daughter.  Avi had spent hours listing all the reasons why the gryphon was her second best friend in the whole world.  Surely that meant he had some redeeming qualities buried deep.

Really, really deep.

“Avalon has powers.”  She told him grudgingly.  “I’m sure you’ve noticed.”  It wasn’t like Avi tried to hide her gifts.  God only knew what she’d told Midas already.  Clause 3 was completely out the window, at this point.

Trystan studied her.  “You say she draws pictures of Lyrssa Highstorm?”

“Yes.”

“She also sketches my people’s ancient temples.”  He admitted cautiously.  “Accurate maps of places that were burned before she was even born.  I do not know all her gifts, but I recognize they are vast.  I suspect that’s why the Scarecrow wishes her dead.”

“It is.”

“I will not let anyone harm that child.”

“I know.”  Gwen wouldn’t be here if she doubted it.  “Avalon loves you.  And Avi is never wrong about people.”  Hopefully, that would mean something, even to a man born without emotions.  “She says you’re special, and important, and part of our family.  It’s why I trust you with her.”

Trystan’s head tilted.  If Gwen hadn’t known better, she would have sworn he was affected by the words.  His eyes got brighter and more focused.

“We need to come to an agreement.  We’re on the same side, fighting for the same two people.”  She gestured towards Midas’ office.  “The four of us are connected, whether you like it or not.  It makes no sense for you and me to be enemies.”

Trystan considered that for a long moment.  “Gryphon are hunted by the ‘civilized’ kingdoms.  Massacred.  Our lands stolen.  Our customs ridiculed.  I was taken from my home when I was young and shipped off to live in a cage.”

She frowned, wondering why he was telling her this.  “They sent a little boy to prison?”

“No.  To a zoo.  The prison came later.”

“A… zoo?”

“An exhibit of primitive peoples.  Your kind worried we’d become extinct before they learned all our secrets.  They’d hoped those of us left might breed --In controlled conditions-- and help them rape more of our culture.”  His voice was matter of fact.  “In the meantime, we were put on display behind bars. Many came to stare and laugh and throw things.”

Gwen simply didn’t know what to say to that.

“So, I learned very young that I have many enemies.”  Trystan’s gaze stayed locked on hers.  “Midas is not among them.  He is the only clan I have left.”  He paused.  “Did he tell you that he was raised by a gryphon?”

“No.”  But it didn’t surprise her.

“Corrah.  One of our greatest queens.  Had my people still been alive, she would have brought him to us as her son.  I know that.  She told him things a gryphon would only tell a member of her clan.”  Trystan tapped his chest, just above his heart.  “She claimed him, which is sacred.  When a gryphon claims someone, they put that person above all else.  They fight for them.  They die for them.  They protect them.  Above all else.”

“And now you claim Midas, too.”  Again, it wasn’t a question. “Look, I’m not a threat to him.  That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

“A reassurance which would mean more if you weren’t a husband-murderer.”

“Arthur’s death was an accident.”

Trystan scoffed at that claim.

Gwen scowled at his rude sound of skepticism.  “You don’t have to believe me.  There was an investigation that said it was an accident.”

Trystan wasn’t impressed by the official findings.  “Why can’t you just admit you are a remorseless killer?”

Her jaw dropped in outrage. “Because I’m not a remorseless killer!”

“Understand that Arthur’s life meant nothing to me.”  Trystan waved a dismissive hand.  “I do not care that you killed him.  I only care why you killed him.  At first, I assumed that you were just a deranged, soulless maniac, like so many of your kind.  Seeking power in blood.”

“I wouldn’t assassinate my way onto a throne, Trystan.”

“No.  I see this, now.  You would likely have your kingdom already, had you agreed to disavow the child.  Instead, you shield her.  You are not blinded by greed or ambition.  You fight for love.  For your young.  I would do the same.”

“There is nothing I won’t do for my daughter.”

Trystan nodded.  “Like all great queens, you protect your people and crush your foes without remorse.”  He shrugged, philosophically.  “So long as you do not harm Midas, I will leave you to it.  I see no profit in warring with you.  I suspect both of us would die.”

“Well, you can relax then, because I’m not going to remorselessly kill Midas.  Queens protect their people.  You just said so yourself.”

Trystan mulled that over.  “You claim Midas as part of your clan?”

“Yes.”  Gwen didn’t even hesitate.

“It is a sacred thing.”  He reminded her.  “Far more than your hollow mating ceremony.  You cannot take it back.”

Gwen had no intention of ever taking it back.  “Midas is my people.”

Trystan squinted, like he was thinking something over.  “I claim the child as part of my clan.”  He finally decided in a very formal tone.  “She is my people.”

“Yeah, someone told me you’d say that.”

Trystan grunted, not bothering to ask who.  They both knew it was Avalon.  “Midas insists that I protect you over him, you know.  No matter what.”

Of course he did.  Her new husband’s size and reputation blinded people to his marshmallow-soft center.  “Midas will always put his own safety last.  At the Round Table, he fought to protect everyone.  Even the really sucky people.”

“I’ve no doubt.  When we met, I tried to behead Midas at least twice.  And he still saved my life.”  Trystan muttered with a sigh.  “It’s long troubled me that he is so… gallant.  It’s bound to lead him into trouble.”

“Exactly!”  Gwen was glad he was making sense.  “The Scarecrow is evil.  He will cheat and kill, if he has to.”

“He will cheat and kill even if he doesn’t have to.  It’s in his nature.”

That was true.  “You and I are alike.  We’re heartless enough to do whatever it takes to survive, but Midas isn’t.  He has a much gentler soul.”

More silence.  “The innocent belong to all who would care for them.”

“Yes.”  Gwen agreed quietly.  “So you and I will care for them.  Midas and Avalon are our people.  I don’t care what he’s told you about protecting me first, we keep them safe, before anything and anyone.  Is it a deal?”

Trystan shrugged.  “I’m still not sure that I like you…. and I’m positive that I hate everyone else.”  He arched a brow.  “So, yes. It is a deal.  I will protect Midas and the child first.  Keeping them safe is all that matters.”

“Thank you.”  Gwen nodded pleased with how well that conversation had gone.  She grinned up at Trystan.  “You know, you’re not nearly so terrifying as I first thought.”

“Four hundred and sixteen.”

Her smile faded.  “What?”

“That’s how many men I’ve killed.  Not counting all the leprechauns.”

Her lips parted, staggered by the triple-digit number.  “Why in the world would you kill any leprechauns?”  She blurted out.  “They’re harmless.”

“And delicious.”

“…Oh.”  Gwen sure wasn’t about to pursue that line of questioning.  Instead, she turned back to the office door and struggled to focus on something else --Anything else-- even as her mind raced with images of leprechaun-burgers.  Ew.  The graphic, shamrock-and-blood colored imagery danced in her brain, which was why it took her a moment to realize that Midas was indeed telling Avalon a bedtime story.

Kind of.

“But, of course, I had already negotiated that all the spinning wheels had to be magical.”  He snorted as if the whole situation had been absurd.  “Why would I spend a fortune importing regular spinning wheels?  I don’t think anyone even knows how to use them for actual cloth production, anymore.  These days, it’s all casting spells and spinning gold.  Mal was trying to fuck me over.  Obviously, I wasn’t going to let that stand, so we went to court.”

Gwen winced a bit at his casual swearing, trying not to laugh.

For once, Avalon didn’t chide someone for the bad language.  Gwen wasn’t surprised.  Midas cursed more than anyone she’d ever met, but he was also Midas.  The man could say anything he wanted and Avi would be fine with it.  …Up to and including telling her a “bedtime story” that was really a contract dispute.

Avalon leaned forward, fascinated with the spinning wheel debacle.  “How come she’d do that?”

“She’s a wicked witch.  They think they’re smarter than everyone else.  But, in the end she got stuck with six hundred and seven useless spinning wheels, because she tried to violate the contract.”  Midas nodded, as if making a profound point.  “A contract is the one thing in this world that a Bad folk can rely on.”

“I’m Bad.”  Avalon announced.

Midas hesitated.  “Yes.”  He allowed.  “But that’s not always such a terrible thing.  Bad folk can do many things Good folk can’t.”

Gwen felt her heart warming in all kinds of soft and sappy ways as she watched them.  Midas could love Avi.  It was obvious.  She’d been so right about his gentle nature.  So right to hand her baby into his arms.  So right to trust.  He was already putty in Avalon’s tiny hands.

Just that quickly, another of her Right Man requirements got ticked off the list.

“Bad folk can do lots.”  Avalon nodded, disheveled blonde curls swinging.  “We know our True Loves as soon as we find them.”

“We do.”  His mouth curved.  “And that skill is worth quite a bit.”  Midas studied her for a moment, like he was trying to find the right words to explain something important.  “As you grow, Good folk will want you to settle for second-rate things.  They will tell you that it’s easier and smarter and even right.  But don’t ever accept less than your True Love, Avalon.  You hold out for the best.”

“Like you always do?”

“Always.”

Gwen stomach knotted, her soft, sappy emotions taking a veering turn into panic.  So Midas did want his True Love.  She’d known it.  She’d even agreed to that fucking proviso in Clause 11- ‘Reasons for Nullification and/or Termination of Marriage,’ giving him an out if the bitch ever showed up.  Shit.  Why in the world had she made it easier for him to leave her?  How could she have been so stupid?

“Only settle for the best and then take excellent care of it.”  Midas continued.  “That’s an important rule to follow.  Nothing else you will ever own is half so valuable as your True Love.”

“Can’t own people.”  Avalon told him importantly.

“Of course you can.  They just own you back.”

“Avi?”  Gwen stepped into the room, not wanting to hear any more about the fated homewrecker her husband was pining for.  It was just pissing her off.  “Sweetie, you should be asleep.”

Midas glanced up, surprised to see her there.  He really should be used to her eavesdropping by now.

Gwen flashed him an unrepentant glare.  Maybe his oh-so-valuable True Love would politely knock at his office door, but this was her house for now and she’d do as she pleased. He was lucky she didn’t drag the invisibility cloak out of her closet and follow him everywhere.

“‘Kay, Mommy.”  Avi hopped off the huge chair and bounced over to hug Midas.  “Night!”

He looked panicked at the contact, jerking his hands back so even the gloves wouldn’t accidently brush against her.  “It’s not safe for you to touch me, Avalon.”  He warned and looked at Gwen.  “You didn’t tell her that?”

“I told her, although I’m sure she already knew.”  They’d apparently been alone together for at least twenty minutes, so there wasn’t a doubt in Gwen’s mind that Avalon had given him a complete rundown of her abilities.  Since Midas wasn’t demanding answers from her, though, Gwen could only assume that Avalon hadn’t told him too much.  That was something, at least.  “Did you even read Clause 3, by the way?”

Midas frowned.  “Yes and it says nothing about bedtime stories, so I’m well within my rights.”

“How are bedtime stories i-g-n-o-r-i-n-g her?”

“Have you ever tried i-g-n-o-r-i-n-g this child?”  He scoffed in the exact same tone Trystan had used.  “The girl is a tyrant in pink sequins.”

“For a man with such a fearsome reputation, you really are a marshmallow.”

“Only towards certain blondes.”  He looked back at Avalon and took a deep breath.  “I’m cursed.”  He informed her, not accepting the fact that she already understood more than anyone else alive.  “When I touch something living, it turns to gold.”

“You should fix your curse, silly.”

Midas squinted.  “Fix it?”

“Make it go away.  You’d be a lot happier.”  She stopped to get a kiss from Gwen and then skipped towards the door.  Her tiny palm reached up to grab Trystan’s gigantic hand, her fingers barely reaching around his thumb.  “Wanna play dolls before bed?”  She asked him in what she obviously hoped was a surreptitious tone.

Midas shook his head, as if he was trying to clear it.  People did that a lot around Avalon.  “You’re playing dolls, Trystan?”

The gryphon flashed him a deadly look.  “It was not ‘playing.’”  He intoned.  “I was instructing the girl.  She had much to learn if she plans to lead a kingdom.”

“They’re reenacting epic battles of old.”  Gwen put in.  “It’s part of the training.  Trystan made her a doll to represent Lyrssa Highstorm, vanquished empress of his people and tyrant of the skies.” She arched a brow at the assassin/nanny.  “Who ritualistically m-u-r-d-e-r-e-d Arthur’s father during the last Looking Glass Campaign, by the way.”

“I know.”  Trystan smirked as if the image of King Uther’s abject suffering was a constant source of emotionless delight.  Who could blame him, really?  “The girl can learn much from such a worthy example.”  He scooped Avi up and set her on his massive shoulder, his scarred wing curving a bit so she could hold onto it for balance.  “Come, child.  I will teach you how to gut a man with an axe.  Every great ruler must know this.”

“Please don’t.”  Gwen called after him.  “Stick with training with dolls.  Or read her a real history story, if you want to teach her about the past.  God knows, here are plenty of books up there.”  Midas had bought out the children’s section of the local library.

Literally.

“Real history is never written down.”  Trystan snorted, as if that suggestion was ludicrous.  “Those who would tell it truthfully all perished in its forging.”

Gwen threw her hands up as the crazy person headed back upstairs with her innocent baby daughter.  Why had she even briefly considered him reasonable?  “Our babysitter is a lunatic.  You know that right?”  She shook her head in exasperation.  “Maybe we should find him a girlfriend or something.  I think he needs to get out more.”

“His online relationship profile would be interesting.”  Midas got to his feet.  “Do you think he’d list how many people he’s killed or is that a third-date conversation?”

“Four hundred and sixteen.  Not counting leprechauns.”

Midas glanced at her.  “Trystan said that?”  He sounded surprised.

“Yes.”  Hope blossomed.  “Why, do you think he’s lying?  Padding the total to look like more of a Badass?”  That would be a huge relief.

“I think he’s just very… optimistic about the recoveries of a thousand other men he’s fought.”  Midas looked amused.  “Perhaps, he only counts the enemies he beheaded on the field and not the ones who crawled off to die with two missing legs and arrows in their lungs.”

Gwen winced.  Wonderful.

“Don’t worry about Trystan.”  Midas came out from behind his desk.  “When he wants a mate, I’m sure he’ll steal himself one.  In the meantime, there isn’t another man I trust with Avalon.  No one who comes against her will survive.  I promise you.  Trystan adores her.”

“He’s not the only one.”  Gwen arched a brow.  “Which reminds me:  Why are the gardeners erecting hundreds of rocking-horsefly feeders out back?  You and I have had numerous discussions about not buying Avi every crazy thing she wants.”

“Well, I purchased those for myself.  It’s just a coincidence that she asked for them, too.”

“You got them for yourself?  They’re decorated with baby unicorns and plastic pinwheels.”

“I have excellent taste.”  He said straight-faced.  “Everyone knows that.”

Gwen rolled her eyes.  “Just be sure you’re adding all this crap to my bill.”

“Your what?”  He asked, like he genuinely had no idea what she was talking about.

“The bill, Midas.  We agreed I’d pay you back for all the money you spend on us, remember?”

“Oh right.  Yeah…  I’m keeping a tally.  Don’t worry.”  He smiled, walking her towards the exit.  “I got a lot of great discounts, though, so you owe a surprisingly low amount.”

The man was impossible.  “Midas, you have to put the actual totals on the bill or it’s all meaningless.  Let me see the receipts.  You’re supposed to be the math-y one here, but you’re doing a terrible job.  I think I need to audit you.”

“No need.  I’ll add everything up tomorrow.”  He opened the door. “First thing.”

Gwen frowned.  “Are you trying to get rid of me?”  She asked suspiciously.

That accusation surprised him.  “No, of course not.”

“Well, it seems like you’re about to go somewhere that you don’t want me to know about.”  Arthur had usually done that when he planned to visit Jill.  Her stomach tightened at the idea of Midas hurrying off to see another woman.  Maybe he was looking for his True Love.  “You can just tell me, if you’re meeting someone.”  She didn’t really want to know, but it was far better than living with lies.  “I mean, you’re allowed to have your own life.  It’s right there in the Contract, so…”  Her voice trailed off unhappily.

“I’m about to go down to the dungeon.”  Midas said after a moment.  “Trystan says Percival woke up.  I’d like to ask him some questions.”

“Oh.”  That cheered her up.  “Well, I’ll go with you, then.”

Midas hesitated.  “The man is apparently… broken.”  He admitted.  “Trystan took my earlier request to ‘see if you can wake him up’ as a creative challenge.  It won’t be pleasant to see.”

“I don’t care about his health and safety.  He tried to murder you!  All that matters is we figure out how to stop the Scarecrow.  It’s important that I be there.  I know Percival, so I can help.”

Midas didn’t look convinced, but as usual he gave into her strong-arm tactics.  “Very well.”  He swept a hand towards the door, indicating that she should go first.  “If you feel… bothered, at any time, just tell me and we’ll leave.”

“Thank you.”  Gwen patted his arm.  Midas really was the most reasonable man.  “Don’t worry.  I’ll be fine… and I’ll make sure you are too.”

“That’s very kind.”

She gave him a pointed look, sensing he was amused by her promise.  “I’m the one who knocked him out in the first place, you know.”

“I know.  You can handle anyone, I have no doubt.  You are…”  His gloved palm moved like he wanted to touch her hair, only to stop without making contact.  Instead, he cleared his throat.  “But you’ve somehow missed the fact that I am a villain.”

“I’m sure you think that’s true.”  She assured him kindly.  “But I see you a bit more clearly than you see yourself.”  It was a wonder his business rivals didn’t have him dead and buried, given his gentle disposition.  “Just because you were born Bad, doesn’t make you a villain.”

“I’m sure you think that’s true.”  He murmured.

“It is true.  Actions are what define us.  And your actions are not villainous.  I have never met anyone so generous and noble and unselfish.”  She shook her head.  “And I’m going to make sure you aren’t hurt because I strong-armed you into this deal.  I swear it.”

“No one strong-arms me into anything.  I am doing this all for me.  I promise.”  He guided her towards a random, mile-long hallway off the foyer.  His whole house was a maze of gilding and corridors.  “In other news, you’ll be happy to know that I’m in the process of acquiring you an army from Scarlett Riding-Wolf.  At this rate, I calculate we’ll win this war in a few weeks, with minimal bloodshed, and then you’ll have your kingdom back.”

“Our kingdom back.”  Gwen corrected.

He concentrated on pushing back a hidden panel on the wall and opening the decorative gate of an antique elevator.  …Because of course he had an elevator in his house.  “Yes, our kingdom.”  He murmured, politely holding the grate back for her.

Gwen frowned at his tone and followed him into the ornate car.  It looked really familiar.  In fact, she was pretty sure it had once belonged to the Swan Princess.  …Before she’d been imprisoned for bankrupting her land with callous overspending.  The woman had flited around in feathered headdresses and tutus, consigning her subjects to squalid mines, so they could dig for pretty gemstones.  Which explained the kaleidoscopic rainbow of jewels sparkling from the walls and the huge ballet-slipper-pink velvet bench built into the back of the elevator car.

Gwen rolled her eyes.  Midas must have purchased the pointlessly extravagant thing and then installed it in his home, just because he could.  Every bit of it was handmade, massive, shiny, and no one else could possibly afford it.

In short, it was exactly her husband’s taste.

“It’s our kingdom, Midas.”  She emphasized again, because she could tell he still wasn’t keen on the whole “becoming king” aspect of her plan.  That made no sense.  Why had he even married Gwen, if he didn’t want to rule Camelot?  Maybe he was just helping her to be nice, with no intention of sticking around after they saved the kingdom.

Maybe he was thinking of his True Love.

Damn it, he couldn’t just leave her.  Not when everything was feeling so… right.  Gwen wasn’t going to be the only one feeling these soft and sappy feelings.  He needed to feel them back.  Midas had already completed most of her Right Man list and he wasn’t even trying!  If he just put a tiny bit of effort into wanting her as much as she wanted him, everything could be… amazing.

What could she do to convince him of that?

Gwen’s brow furrowed.  Seducing him seemed like the most obvious plan.  Midas obviously liked it when she kissed him, so how hard could it really be to push him farther?  Gwen was a problem-solver by nature and extremely almost-Bad, so using her feminine wiles would no doubt come naturally.  Surely, she could figure out a way to trick him into bed.  And a smart first step to the process would be keeping Midas away from his True Love.

“We should redraft Clause 7.”  Gwen blurted out, not caring that it was a non sequitur.

Midas glanced down at her, his eyebrows compressing in apparent bafflement.  “What?”

“Clause 7- ‘Separate Lives and Other Relationships?’  We need to X it all out.”

“I know what Clause 7 deals with.”  He snapped, like he was getting ready for an argument.  “It says I get a separate life.  Not you.”  He stabbed the button for the bottom floor with his thumb, yanking the gilded gate closed.  “We’re not renegotiating anything that allows you to be with another man.  I don’t give a shit if he’s your ‘family’ or not.  I told you, I won’t…”

“Not for me, doofus.”  She interrupted, a bit insulted that he was trying to turn this all around.  She wasn’t the one filling Avalon’s head with fantasy stories of True Love.  All Gwen wanted to do was seduce her idiot husband, like any loving wife.  “I want to change it for you.”

That caught him off guard.  “What?”  He said again.

“So long as we’re equal partners, I don’t want you to be with other women. I think it’s a perfectly fair alteration to the Contract.”

Midas’ head tilted, like his mind was changing gears so fast it was hard for him to keep up.  “I’m not interested in other women.” His tone suggested that she wasn’t making any sense.

“I heard you talking about your True Love.”  She crossed her arms over her chest.  “I know that’s who you’re looking for.  I don’t even blame you.”  Much.  “I know you think she’s out there.  But, until you find her and break the Contract,” or try to break it, because she’d fight him, “I don’t want you sleeping with anyone else.  It… hurts me to think of it.”

Midas’ expression softened.  “Kitten, you don’t ever have to worry about me cheating on you.”

The endearment warmed her insides.  “Except I do worry.”  How could she not?  Everything between them was so right --so logical-- but Midas refused to see it.  “It wouldn’t even be cheating, under the Contract.”

Midas watched her with that penetrating gaze.  “It would be cheating.”  He said quietly. “And I don’t cheat.  I’m not Arthur.”

“I know that.”  Sex with Arthur was icky and painful.  Gwen had been happy when he got a mistress and stayed away.  She didn’t feel that way about Midas.  Not even close.  “But, the two of us need to be… united.”  She tried to look business-like.  “We’re doing all this for the good of the kingdom.  Adding other people into our deal will just complicate things.  I know we’re only fake-married, but it’s still married.”  The last part came out like an accusation.

“We are real-married.”  His voice was unequivocal.  “There is a scroll to prove it.”

“Except you also have a Contract with Clause 7.”

“You’re the one who wrote that in there.”

“You’re the one who’s looking for his True Love!”

Midas was quiet for a beat, studying in her fuming face.  “Some people would argue that finding your True Love is bigger than a marriage.”  He finally said in an unreadable voice.

“I wouldn’t.  One is a legally-binding contract and one is some harebrained fantasy.”

He didn’t seem to take offense at that opinion.  “Would you have left Arthur, if you found your True Love?”

“I don’t believe in True Love.”  She took a deep breath, trying to calm down.  “And anyway, I’m focused on finding the Right Man.  Not some make-believe soul mate.”

Midas’ eyebrows drew together again.  “And who’s the Right Man?”

“He’s the person I’ve been searching for all my life.  Merlyn said I would find him.  I wrote a list of attributes he’ll have.  It’s very organized and rational and real.  …Unlike some people’s idiotic quest for cosmic perfection.”

“I see.”  He said, even though he clearly didn’t.  “What exactly does the Right Man need?”

“I want someone I can trust.”  Gwen explained.  “I want someone who loves Avalon.  I want someone who wants to be with me, as much as I want to be with him.  That’s the Right Man.  Nothing to do with destiny or True Love.  It just matters who he is inside.”  She tapped her temple.  “He’s the one I’ve been looking for.”

Midas didn’t look thrilled with that news.  “You’re still searching for this guy?”  He had the nerve to sound pissed about it.

“Just like you’re still pining for your True Love.”  She retorted.  “The woman who you think is ‘the best.’”  She added air quotes around the word.

“Is it Galahad?”  Midas persisted, apparently as annoyed as she was, even though he had no right to be.

“Huh?  What in the world does poor Galahad have to do with your intention of… of… just giving yourself to this True Love person the second she shows up?”  Gwen demanded barely paying attention to his question.  “No matter who she is, or what she’s done, or why she’s even here, you think she’s the best and that’s enough.  Do you seriously think that’s a solid basis for a real relationship?”

“I think True Love is the only basis for a real relationship.” There wasn’t even an ounce of doubt in his tone.  “Everything else is settling.”

Gwen looked away, the simple words hurt more than any of Arthur’s betrayals.  Her first husband had had no loyalty to anyone.  Her second had incredible amounts, all of which he directed at some skanky stranger.  That was so much worse.

“Well I think having somebody you actually know is a better foundation for a marriage.”  She said stiffly, her mind whirling with possible schemes to change his mind.  “That’s not settling; it’s logic.  Something you’ve obviously left behind for children’s stories.”

He made a scoffing sound.  “Only you would suggest I’m operating from romantic fancy.  I’m the least whimsical man in this kingdom, Gwen.  Everything I do is logical.”

“Bullshit.  I’m focused on business.  You’re planning your dream wedding to a figment of your imagination.”  She was seething at his irrational attitude.  “So, fine.  When our Contract ends, you can have your mythical ‘True Love’ and I’ll stick with my practical, foolproof, logical checklist for the Right Man.”  She slanted him a glare.  “And when I find him, he will get in line with the practical, foolproof, logical deal I propose.”

She’d make sure of it.

Dickhead.

Midas’ eyes fixed on the lighted numbers above the door.  Weighed down with precious gems, the elevator was painfully slow.  Anyone rich enough to own it didn’t have to worry about getting places quickly.  “Avalon says her daddy is coming soon.”

Gwen glanced at him sharply from the corner of her eye.  Midas’ voice remained tranquil, but she still heard… something in his tone.  Suddenly, it occurred to her why he’d been pressing her about Galahad.

“Avalon says a lot of baffling things.” Gwen told him, carefully.  “Sometimes, the visions in her head can be hard for a five year old to explain.

Midas wasn’t convinced.  “She says he’s the smartest man in the kingdom.”

“Did she?”  Gwen snorted.  “Well, even Avi can make a mistake.”  She kept her eyes on the elevator doors.  “I never slept with the Scarecrow, if that’s what you’re asking.”  Just the idea made her shudder.

“I’m asking about Avalon’s father.  Is he the practical, foolproof, logical Right Man you’re waiting for?”

“Avalon’s father is dead.”  Gwen reiterated firmly.  “Believe me.  I saw Arthur fall off the balcony myself.”

That golden gaze sharpened.  “Did you?”  Just like that, Midas’ nimble brain swerved onto a new and dangerous path.  “You were there when Arthur died?”

…Well shit.