Afternoon sunlight reflected from a diamond ring on the tip of Arthur's finger. Solemnly, he marveled at the perfection of the diamond encased by platinum. Simple… sparkling like Gwen. He shut his eyes when he read "love for eternity" engraved inside the ring. He should have given it to her. Instead, he drove Gwen away… no, he forced her out.

Audrey retrieved her mental to do list deep in her mind marked Arthur Pendragon. She needed to collected his suits; arranged an appointment with a jeweler; make dinner reservations. Audrey sighed he was such a nice terrifying man. He was quite generous. Her face broke into a smile when she spotted Gwen waiting for service.

Audrey recognized that Gwen made Arthur human, not a number cruncher. She thought Arthur would have a peroxide princess as his partner, not a sweet caring girl like Gwen.

"Hello, Gwen," Audrey called. Her mouth dropped when Gwen spun on her heel.

Gwen's pallor was pasty-almost grey. Deep dark circles under her eyes. A fine sheen of sweat across her brow. Slowly, her hand waved in response. She pointed to the throat, mouthing that she lost her voice.

Arthur had just arrived back from Paris. He had come straight to the office. He hadn't lived with Gwen for a few days. Audrey moved to assist Gwen with her transaction. Her blue eyes widened when Gwen collapsed to the floor in a lifeless heap.

Audrey knew the rules. Memorized under her eyelids. Never disturb his meetings. She pulled a deep breath into her lungs. Turning the door knob, she stepped into the room. Arthur shot her a cold penetrating gaze.

"Audrey," he drawled in his rich deep voice. "What is it?"

"Mr. Pendragon… I..."

Arthur rolled his eyes. His chin set in annoyance. "Spit it out."

"Gwen's sick. She fainted in the lobby. I called Gauis."

Arthur tossed his papers across the table as he hurried form the room. "We'll speak later."

Agravaine mouth twisted in disgust. He runs for that girl. Gauis is on his way to attend to her needs.

His arms crossed defiantly across his chest, Agravaine watched Arthur mopping the girl's brow with a cool cloth. She holds much too much power over Arthur. Something must be done about her.

Cenred's dark eyes roamed over Gwen's body as she walked away from their dinner table. He waited until she was completely out of sight.

"She's lovely, Arthur."

"I know."

Cenred licked his lips as he chose his words. "Times have changed. You are the boss… you need a woman besides your university girlfriend."

Arthur chuckled. "She wasn't my university girlfriend, and you know it.

Cenred offered Arthur a hard glance. "You can't have the flower girl sweet chick any longer. You need a woman that signals your power… you can control anything… Gwen is sweet. She's not glamorous. What do you think when she walks in the room?"

"I love her."

Cenred pointed to a striking willowy blonder wrapped in a nude bandage dress. "Watch." Arthur noticed men staring as the woman walked over to a table, lust in their eyes.

"She's beautiful and sexy."

He waited until Gwen appeared in the doorway.

"Watch."

Arthur noticed a few men eyeing Gwen's curvy figure. One gave her a second glance.

"Power and control isn't sweet and pretty. Think about it."

"What do you mean you made other plans?"

Gwen stared at him with dark disbelieving eyes. "I bought tickets months ago."

"Give them away… this conference is important. I need you to accompany me abroad."

Gwen mouth twisted. She couldn't and wouldn't cave to his demand. It was tiresome to live Arthur's life. She couldn't drop everything to jet around the world. She was going to lose her position at the hospital. Besides, she needed time away from Arthur and his world. He was the center of her universe… she needed Gwen time.

"I can't."

"You won't," Arthur stated in a flat voice."

"You're right."

Arthur searched for a text from Gwen. Agravaine stared at him with dark eyes. He knew the moment was right.

'Where's Gwen?"

Arthur shrugged." She stayed behind."

Agravaine nodded. "She does have a position… lovely girl. Dose she truly understand your world, Arthur? Can she give you want you need?

"I love her."

"Love isn't everything."

"We work."

"Do you… why isn't she here? This conference is important to our company… our family. She's not here… by your side supporting you."

"She had a prior commitment."

"Arthur, she's distracting you… this won't go well for us."

Arthur dropped his suitcase on the carpeting. Scents of warm food assaulted his senses. He couldn't believe that the takeover talks were stalled. He couldn't focus during the meetings. He kept thinking of Gwen. His uncle and Cenred were right… this was wrong.

"Guinevere."

Arthur shook his head. He had no desire to relive those awful harsh moments in his flat with Gwen. The tears in her eyes. Arthur wished that she had screamed at him. Nothing, just silent resolve. Arthur spun in his leather chair.

He hadn't expected to find Gawain in his flat packing Gwen's clothing.

"Goodness, too much lavender."

Arthur eyed him coldly. "Just pack it."

Gawain frowned in distaste. "Moving your new woman in quickly."

Arthur's face flushed red. "You don't understand."

Gawain shrugged. "Oh, I do. You want more. You'll never find better."

Arthur folded his arms across his chest. "It's better this way."

"Yes, before she was old and had a few babies. You had a moment of nonsense. Don't worry… I'll take care of her."

"Meaning?"

"She's staying with me. Didn't you think about that, Arthur? Where did she have to go?"

"I thought Tom or Elyan. She shouldn't stay with you. She needs-"

"Save your concern. Let me pack. Or I'll call Viv."

"I'll get you back. You, my love, made a tactical error. You said that you could fall in love; if I didn't interfere … you waved a red flag in front of a bull. "

A dark secluded corner, Gwen nibbled on a canapé as she waited for Tristan to return with her drink. Weeks ago, she would have never had dreamed that she would have attended an event with Arthur close by. Like a sane adult, clutching Tris' hand tightly, she spoke to Arthur politely. Tris was the ever charming and doting faux boyfriend. Smiling, Gwen looked up to greet Tristan. Her face fell when she realized Leon had slid next to her with her brother and Percy in tow.

"Hello, Gwen," Leon asked gently. "How are you?"

"You didn't care two months ago. Now, you do?"

Leon's face drained of color. Elyan looked away. Percy lowered his eyes like a child.

Leon thought of something to say in regards to his-their behavior over the last few months. He couldn't think of any words to soothe or comprehend their actions. He decided to dive into the issue.

"This is hard on Arthur."

Her fingers crushed her canapé as Leon's words vibrated in her mind. Hard on Arthur.

"What's hard on Arthur?"

"Seeing you with Tristan."

Leaning back, Gwen stared at them. "Too bad. He made his choice… this is my new life."

"He's a bit older than you."

"He's mature. He knows what he wants unlike some people. He saw what he wanted, and went for it. None of your affair."

"Gwen, has dad met him?"

Gwen shot Elyan a look of pure venom," Brotherly concern is a tad late in this matter."

"I'm trying to," Elyan began. "Dad wouldn't approve."

"Interfere…. My life. Stay out of it. You're good at that"

Gwen didn't want to go back to that place. She was happy…. With her new life. Her head sank low.

"Tell Pendragon to deal with me," a deep voice replied.

Exhaling, slowly, Gwen took Tristan's hand as he pulled her from her past demon. Carefully, they maneuvered through the crowds; Tristan carefully helped her up the stairs.

Arthur watched intently as Tristan guided Gwen to her bedroom. A rush of jealousy, anger, and dislike flooded his brain. He could barely breathe with his anger.

Tristan helped Gwen to the bed. He slipped over and turned on her iPod. Adele's melodious voice filled the air. Sitting next to Gwen, he rubbed her back. "You can cry now."

Gwen wrapped her arms around Tristan as she sobbed in his arms. Tristan knew that he shouldn't have ever touched or started this game. Isolde was a hardened warrior… full of bite. Lemon drop was more like a Shirley Temple. This is a mess.

Tristan waited until Gwen fell asleep. He couldn't believe that she sleep with music blaring in the background. Giving her one last look, he closed her bedroom door. He pushed his way down the steps. His eyes scanned the room until he found Arthur drinking a beer with his mates in a corner. He moved like a bear. His gaze met Arthur.

"Pendragon... we need to chat."

"About?'

"Gwen… alone."