as a child, barbie would transform her small bedroom into a fantasy escape with kings and queens, knights and dragons, torn right from the pages of king arthur, the round table and camelot. with a bedsheet used as a cloak, a plastic sword in hand, she'd slay the dragon in the name of arthur and be knighted; lady barbie of camelot! but it was make believe, the imagination of a bright eyed, curious girl, enamoured by tales of legends.

❝ but it's a story, it's always been a story. king arthur, excalibur, the knights of the round table. i've owned plenty of them! ❞ she stares, wide eyed and shaking her head, before dropping into the seat across marlow's desk, bag falling to her feet.