Page 26 of Awakening

“Then you know there is only one weapon that can kill me.”

“And one day, its owner will end your life. For now, a temporary death sentence will suffice.”

With Emrys subduing the ugly man with greenish-brown skin, Marc checked on Trystan. Leaning down close to him, he could hear his shallow breathing and feel a faint heartbeat. He stood and walked towards his abductor.

“You’re lucky he’s still alive.” Marc glared at Grønn Riddari, his tone threatening.

Emrys let out a breath, thankful his lack of protection hadn’t cost Trystan his life.

“Who, or should I say what, are you?”

He was a revolting shadow of a man with dirty, olive brown skin and greasy, disheveled brown hair that fell past his shoulders. The scrawniness of his body masked his strength. Familiar black eyes stared up at Marc, undaunted. He was neither man nor beast.

When he did not respond, Marc threatened him again. “Speak, you vile creature, before I cut out your tongue!” Marc drew Trystan’s dagger from his belt and pointed the tip of its blade within inches of the man’s mouth.

Grønn Riddari laughed wickedly. “The closer you are to him, the more danger he is in.”

“Do not threaten me!”

His ugly face twisted into a scandalous grin. “If only you could have seen him struggle and squirm. He is quite the spirited young man, isn’t he, Marc?” Grønn taunted, again laughing sadistically. “Or woman, depending on how you choose to see.”

“Heis mine.” Casing the dagger, Marc pulled his sword, bursting with rage and held the point to the man’s chest. “And for your crime, you deserve to die!”

“Do it. Kill me.”

Marc stood with the point of his sword pressed against the creature’s chest. He hated him for what he’d done to Trystan. Emrys still held a sword to his neck.

“Do it!” Grønn yelled.

Marc could not contain his anger any longer. He pulled his sword back and plunged the blade into his chest as Emrys sliced clean into his neck, leaving a deep, bleeding gash across his throat. As the creature’s head drooped and his body sat lifeless, Marc looked at Emrys. His fury alleviated, he almost immediately regretted his actions. He realized he might never know why Trystan had been abducted, but at least now, he was safe.

“Let’s go, Emrys,” he said as he wiped his sword and sheathed it. Marc walked back over to Trystan, who still lay unconscious and wrapped in a blanket, and scooped him up in his arms. Emrys helped Marc mount up with Trystan cradled in front of him.

Emrys mounted the other stallion and they rode out toward Vilsir.

***

Arriving at the cottage, Marc carried an unconscious Trystan inside with Emrys leading. Noah halted his pacing and his stomach dropped. Tears threatened as his chest burned.

“Trystan?”

Emrys went straight to Noah. “He’ll be fine, my friend,” Emrys said, giving his shoulder a squeeze.

“What happened?” Noah asked, watching as Marc carried his son to his bedchamber. He and Emrys followed the Prince.

“You were all attacked sometime in the middle of the night,” Emrys answered, moving to stand at the foot of the bed. “The poison should wear off soon, depending on how much he inhaled.”

Marc laid Trystan down and pulled a chair to his bedside. Sitting, he glanced up at Emrys and Noah.

“Who did this, Emrys? Who was that vile creature?”

“Creature?” Noah asked.

Emrys hesitated, but the truth needed to be said. “If I am certain, I fear to tell you that he is the creature known as Grønn Riddari. As the legend goes, he was once a man who traded his freedom for immortality. He was bound to serve the sorceress Morgaine for eternity, but it was rumored to be nothing more than a myth.”

“Myth or not, what happened this morning was real.” Marc paused. “At least now, it’s dead.”

Emrys made a face. “He is not, Your Grace.”