“His Majesty did not escort me out of the forest, nor plead my case with eloquence,” she said tartly. “Learn to accept gratitude, Sir Knight, it will stand you in good stead. I will gladly accept a room near to yours, since it seems you’ve appointed yourself my protector.”
“No, but he allowed for you to stay in the castle,” Mordred answered, before moving off down the corridor, leading her. “Ah, because if I did not you would surely be without one, my lady. That, we could not have,” he added after a moment.
“I don’t need a protector,” Summer protested. She trailed along after him, reaching out to the flames of the torches and candles as they passed. “I am capable of protecting myself.”