Page 13 of The Darkest Knight (The Cursed Kingdom #3)

Chapter Thirteen

N iall had not planned to return to the other realm. Convinced that their curses were impossible to break, both he and Padriag had decided it was best to return to the keep and live out the rest of their days, which with Meliot’s minions having overrun it, meant it could only a matter of days. For however long, at least they’d be in the familiar comfort of the home they’d known for hundreds of years.

It was only the strong sense of something being wrong that had brought him back. Tamara was in danger, and despite his decision, he could not allow harm to come to her. She’d put her life on hold, had worked tirelessly, and without his help, to free him.

Once materializing in Tristan’s castle, he raced up the stairs to where her bedchamber was. He prayed she was asleep, and once he could reassure himself she was safe, he would return to the other alter-realm knowing she was unharmed.

The door was closed, the sense of foreboding grew, and his hand shook when turning the knob. Rushing into the room, he took in the rumpled bed. A covering had been pulled halfway off, most of it pooled on the rug. Rushing into the bathroom, he pushed the door open and took in the empty room.

“Tamara,” he called out in a low tone, already knowing she would not respond.

Perhaps she’d waken and gone to eat, or ....

He moved to the bed leaned down hoping to get an idea of who had been there. Only her scent and that of lovemaking remained, but nothing else.

The window was wide open, the coolness of the room an obvious clue that that it had been like that for a long while.

“Niall. What happened?” Tristan and Gwen rushed into the room.

Gwen’s wide eyes met his. “Where’s my sister?”

Niall looked to Tristan for a beat before replying. “I have a feeling that Meliot had someone take her. I am fairly certain she was taken to the other realm.”

Gwen rushed about the room, obviously searching for any clue. Upon entering the bathroom, she cried out. “Oh my god!”

Both he and Tristan peered into the tight space. Gwen pointed at the mirror. “She was taken.”

She rushed to the night table and picked up what he knew to be some sort of communication device. “I’m calling Sabrina. They have to come back.”

Tristan took the phone from her hand. “Neither she nor Gavin can travel to the alter-world. There is no need to worry her at this point. They are to return sometime today are they not?

Gwen nodded, not seeming at all convinced not to make the call.

Tristan took his wife into his arms and kissed the top of her head, his gaze meeting Niall’s.

Niall turned to look at the open window. “I will return to Atlandia and recruit warriors to help with the rescue. I am sure the princesses will allow it. I will personally enlist Sterling’s help as well,” Niall said, referring to the princesses’ brother, who’d tamed a dragon.

Gwen’s tears were flowing freely down her face now. “Tamara is not prepared for this. She is not strong enough.”

“Your sister is the most powerful of the three of you.” Niall met Gwen’s astonished gaze. “I have seen her powers firsthand. Although she is not in control of them, I have no doubt when the time comes, she will harness her strength.”

Tristan’s frustration was evident by the tightening of his jaw. “All of this is our fault. We should have accepted fate and remained in the other realm.” His quiet words echoed what Niall had been thinking.

“I will not stop until Tamara is safe and back here with you.”

Gwen let out a shaky breath “With you as her knight, I am reassured. Thank you, Niall.”

Niall nodded, a knot forming in his throat. Her knight . For now he was, and he would save her no matter the cost.

“It is best I go. There is much to do.” Niall took a step back.

“God speed to you and the others,” Tristan told him.

“Liam will return with news.” He dematerialized, going back to the other realm.

It was late the next day when he’d finally been able to get permission to storm Meliot’s castle. Argo the head guard, had managed to convince the princesses earlier that morning reports had come from the village that several women had gone missing in the night.

Liam, Padriag, and Niall waited impatiently as the leader of the shifters briefed the large contingency of warriors, both men who shifted into wolf form and those whose primary body was an actual wolf. Since they spoke in a combination of strange howls and a language he didn’t understand, Niall could only decipher that they were divided into smaller groups and given an area where they’d enter the castle.

Finally, Argo walked toward them. “We leave at dawn,” Argo said, his expression stern. The male exuded power and control. The shifter was formidable in battle and personally, Niall hoped never to have to fight against him.

“I have sent a messenger to Prince Sterling,” Niall continued. “But I would not hold out much hope he will come. The Prince has issues on his own lands that require his constant attention.”

“I think the messenger found him,” Padriag said, his gaze moving past Argo’s shoulder. “He is just now arriving.”

The unmistakable sound of the beast broke through as the dragon came into view. It flew across the sky, seeming to float on the wind’s currents, its attention aimed down.

With graceful swoops of expansive wings, Sterling’s dragon landed. The beast let out a loud roar, that sounded like an angry lion. With shimmering green, purple, and golden scales, and a long tail that swished from side to side, the dragon required a large space. The huge head turned as if taking in the area before it finally lowered close to the ground so that the prince could dismount.

Prince Sterling was a man befitting of his name. His hair, shimmered in the sun, a light ash blond, his eyes an unusual shade of silver. Niall was grateful for the man’s presence, as the prince was rarely seen outside of his realm. As he walked toward them, his fur-lined gray cloak billowing from his shoulders and knee-high boots crunching on the ice, his unnatural silver gaze took them in.

“What, pray tell, is this urgent matter?” Stirling asked in a flat tone. “Let me forewarn you that neither my pet nor I will put our lives on the line for foolery.”

Niall clenched his jaw. “I respectfully request you reconsider helping us Your Highness. In the darkness of night, village women were abducted and taken to Meliot’s castle. Your help will ensure we can rescue them all.”

Sterling looked off into the distance. Niall noticed a tick on the side of his face. “Why would Meliot take the women?”

What did it matter? Anger sizzled under Niall’s skin, and it took all his strength to keep from shaking the man.

“Several women from the village are prisoners, and one woman from the other realm. Someone went there and took her.”

Sterling’s eyes snapped up at the mention of the woman’s circumstance. “How is that possible?”

The prince turned back to the dragon. Niall wondered if they communicated silently. When he faced them again, his face was expressionless. “Unfortunately, my hands are tied. My borders are vast, and I cannot afford a war with Meliot.”

Niall glared at him. “Atlandia’s warriors rides with us in the morning. Not only are your borders in jeopardy, but Atlandia’s as well.”

Sterling’s expression didn’t change. “There is more to this realm than Atlandia. My kingdom of Esland is too susceptible right now.”

The three knights looked at each other, they’d never heard of a second kingdom. Niall locked gazes with the prince. “What of Middlesex? Are they not important? They lie on the border of the two lands.”

“I do regret to hear about their misfortunes. But my hands are tied. I’d best go.”

“Your Highness,” Niall replied between clenched teeth.

The prince hesitated, his gaze looking past his shoulder toward the warriors who studied the dragon with fascination. “Godspeed to you all. I will assess my situation and return if I can.” He turned on his heel and went back to the dragon.

Niall stalked toward the interior of the tent.

Padriag caught up with him. “That sucks. We sure could have used the assistance of a dragon.”

“We will succeed with or without a dragon,” Niall replied.

“I believe we will,” Liam added stepping up on the other side of him.

“Yeah,” Padriag finished pumping a fist in the air. “Nobody takes our woman and lives.”

Dawn came. Niall had not slept because he was worried about Tamara and because he wanted to avoid Devina.

Once dressed and having eaten a surprisingly hearty breakfast of eggs, crusty bread and fried pork, he headed out to find his steed.

Upon seeing him, the horse pawed the ground, his huge hoof making deep impressions. Niall stroked the horse’s mane. “Today we will be victorious, friend. Tomorrow you and I will return to the keep.”

He glanced upwards, the third moon was new, a sliver in the sky. Once it became a full moon, the days would never be bright but remained in a twilight. The suns were barely above the horizon, giving an eerie glow to the surroundings.

The warriors were in the process of mounting, each male heavily armed with swords strapped to their backs, daggers across the chest, and more weaponry about their waists and on the saddles.

Niall mounted and double checked to ensure he’d not forgotten anything. Liam and Padriag pulled their horses alongside him. The warriors lined up in two rows, Argo in the lead. A gigantic warrior, Argo’s first to his right, signaled for the force to move forward.

The horses moved at a brisk pace, several wolves running alongside. The huge silver and brown wolves kept up with the horses with ease.

Niall often wondered about sentinels. Although they could shift to human form, they seemed to prefer wolf form to fight. Shifters, like Argo, on the other hand were more at home in human form. He studied the warrior’s large frame and didn’t doubt the shifter would bring terror to anyone he confronted.

He glanced to Liam who scowled, his gaze forward.

“Is there something we should worry about?” he asked the stoic Brit.

Liam’s frosty blue eyes settled on him. “I do not have a clear vision, just chaos. I am trying my best to conjure a stronger picture but am finding it difficult.”

Niall’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s not reassuring.”

“It is not.” Liam shook his head. “Hopefully I will get some insight before we arrive. Right now, it’s not clear enough for me to foretell.”

“I pray it is so,” Niall replied, noticing Liam’s troubled look remained. “Is there something else Liam?”

“Whatever you’re planning. It will not come to be. You will not live at the keep.”

Damn the man’s gift .

“I’ve got enough to worry about without you planning to kill yourself.” Liam hissed.

“What are you two talking about?” Padriag asked from behind him. “Who’s going to kill himself?”

“No one,” both answered at the same time.

Padriag grunted. “Then why did you say it, Liam?”

Liam gave Niall a warning look. “I am telling Niall that he needs to follow Argo’s orders. You do as well. I know his women are in there, but he doesn’t allow his heart to overrule his brains.”

Unsure what Liam meant, Niall remained silent. Whatever they discovered in the castle would affect him. Especially if Tamara was injured or worse.

“Argo better have a good plan,” Padriag replied.

Soon they would arrive at the castle. So far they’d not come across any sentinels. It didn’t mean Meliot wasn’t aware of their arrival. The wizard had eyes and ears everywhere. To think they would take him by surprise was not smart. Sooner rather than later, they would encounter the first of what could be many obstacles.

The woods became thicker and darker. Padriag cast a spell that illuminated the way. Argo turned and glared at him. “Dim the illumination, we can see in the dark.”

“We are not shifters and can’t,” Padriag informed him.

“Your horses can,” Argo replied. “Besides, there are three moons, once we arrive at a clearing, the night is bright.”

“Dim them,” Niall told the rebellious knight. “I can see well enough.”

The lights went out. Niall blinked. He couldn’t see a thing and hoped that, indeed, his horse could.

A break in the woods gave way to a clearing. As Argo predicted, they were able to see well. Meliot’s lands seemed to be in perpetual dusk, no moons, no suns, just a hazy light of a stormy looking sky. Niall looked up for a moment at the display.

Argo pulled his horse around and waited for the guard to line up before him. “My strongest warrior and I will shift and take these.” He held what looked like ropes with hooks on the ends. “Niall and Padriag will scale the wall and enter on the second level.” He turned to Liam. “You will lead the wolves through the front gates to create a distraction.”

Liam nodded, and the sentinels bowed their heads in acknowledgment.

Argo raised his hand to get his attention. “When you hear my whistle, retreat. Now go to your appointed places.”

“How are we to leave with the women?” Niall asked.

Argo met his gaze for a moment. “My first and I will assist. You must rappel back to the ground with the women.”

“Right.” Padriag looked as puzzled as Niall felt. “Easy peasy, grab the women, somehow make it to the wall, and then rappel down. I am sure it will work. Not a problem.” What Padriag said echoed his thoughts, and yet, he would take the chance, do what he must to save Tamara.

Argo’s shrug wasn’t reassuring. “Is there another way?”

Without warning, Argo and his first turned into huge birds of prey. The ropes in their claws, the birds soared toward the sky.

“I didn’t know they could do that,” Padriag said, awe in his voice as he craned his neck to follow the birds. “Maybe they should go into the rooms. Makes more sense.”

With a rumble of growls, Liam and the sentinels charged forward,

Warriors in human form charged on their horses, some behind the wolves, others splitting into two groups going to opposite sides of the castle.

“This is going to be fun,” Padriag said as he and Niall went to find where the ropes would be.

By the sounds of clashing swords and screams, the sentinels and warriors had entered the courtyard.

Two thick ropes unfurled down the stone wall. Grabbing the ends, Niall and Padriag jumped from their steeds and began the climb to the narrow windows. The large birds of prey’s flapping wings assured their backs were covered.

Finally Niall reached a thin window. The wooden shutter was closed so he kicked it in and squeezed through the opening. It was barely wide enough for him to fit through.

Inside Tamara jerked up to sit on the bed, holding a wine goblet up over her head, probably the only thing she could find to use as a weapon.

“It is me,” he whispered, pulling the cloak collar down so she could see his face.

“I knew you would come,” Tamara cried out, flinging herself into his arms, wrapping hers around his neck. Her entire body shook. “I have never been so scared in my life.” Her body against his made him feel ten times stronger. That she was terrified only served to fan the flames of fury that overtook him.

“I think Meliot is planning something horrible tonight. We have to save the others.” She tugged him toward the front door.

“We cannot go that way.” He pulled her toward the window. “He probably has guards posted outside the door.”

She gave him a pleading look and leaned into this ear to whisper. “We can’t leave the woman in the other room. Her name is Erin. She is trapped in the room next to mine. She is also from the other realm.”

He urged her closer to the window and motioned to Padriag to go into the next room. Then picked her up. “Padriag will get her.”

“What of the other women?” Tamara asked as they made their way to the window.

Just as Niall was about to answer, the door burst open, two beastly guards came into the room.

Moving Tamara behind his back, Niall pulled his sword. “Go through the window, grab the rope and tie it around your waist. Hold tight.”

He swung his sword at the approaching guards who moved forward warily.

A thick mist spread across the floor engulfing the room. It was impossible to see anything, so Niall continued to swing his sword wildly.

“I find it amusing that you thought you could just waltz in and take my guests.” The mists parted and Meliot entered the room. Immediately the shutters on the window slammed shut.

The wizard eyed Niall then his gaze slid to Tamara, who had ignored his instructions to get out and clung to the back of his shirt. “I have been waiting a long time to meet you.”

Still behind him, but peeking out, Tamara gasped but remained silent.

The wizard shrugged. “All will be clear soon enough.” Cupping his hands together, he formed a fireball, the blue flames moving like live snakes. “Your protector will have to die. You will thank me when you understand the destiny that awaits you.”

Just as he flung it, Tamara held her hands straight in front of her, palms facing the wizard. The fireball seemed to bounce at coming in contact with her hands and ricocheted back hitting the wizard. He took a step back, his expression accessing her.

“Let us go,” Tamara’s voice shook.

The wizard narrowed his eyes. “You are not trained, you cannot control your powers.” He turned to the guards. “Kill them.”

Shuffling and cursing, Padriag and a woman were dragged into the room. Padriag was unarmed, but he didn’t seem injured. The woman, a slender brunette, clung to his side.

Padriag yelled out a protection spell, creating an invisible shield. It would not stand long against Meliot, but it would give them time.

“Go to the window now!” Niall told Padriag. “Take the women with you.”

The wizard cocked his head to one side, as if amused by them and then looked to his guards. “I said kill them.”

The beastly guards rushed forward crashing through Padriag’s shield that no doubt had been weakened by Meliot.

When they were but mere inches from them, Tamara held out both hands casting what he could only describe as pulses of energy. It sent the guards tumbling backward. The downed beasts shuddered, their limbs curled unnaturally. The screams left no doubt that they were in agony.

The entire time, an expression of pride spread across Meliot’s face.

The respite didn’t last. The wizard flicked his right-hand, sending Niall and Padriag flying across the room, crashing against the wall. Niall managed to keep hold of his sword, but upon collapsing to the floor, all air left his body.

The wizard had him in a vice like hold, the grip so tight, he couldn’t draw air into his lungs. Despite struggling, he couldn’t free himself. By the sound of Padriag’s gasps, he suffered the same hold.

“Stop, you’re killing them,” Tamara screamed. She pushed pulse after pulse toward the wizard. It was ineffective. Meliot was much too powerful.

“Help them,” the other woman screamed.

Darkness ebbed as Niall did his best to suck in air, but it was useless. When a pulse of energy struck him, the vice eased just enough he could draw breath. He prayed the same happened to Padriag.

A second energy pulse struck, and the hold around them was gone. Niall tried to stand, but the best he could do was get on his hands and knees.

More guards had arrived, one after another going toward Tamara, only to fall. It was obvious she was tiring. Niall managed to yank a dagger and fling it at a guard just as he almost reached her. The blade sunk into his neck and the creature fell to his knees and disintegrated.

“I’ve had enough.” Meliot held up his hands forming a shield as he walked closer to Tamara. “Accept your destiny. This is your home now.” He glanced to Niall and Padriag, who remained too weak to fight.

“Take them to the dungeon.” Enormous guards neared and grabbed Niall by the arm, dragging him to his feet. Even if he’d had his full strength, Niall couldn’t fight four huge warriors.

Once out of the room, Niall pulled a dagger and stabbed one of them in the side, the beastly being grunted, but didn’t release him. Again and again, he sunk the blade into the now bloody flesh, until finally the guard collapsed.

The guard on his other side grabbed his wrist, preventing him from stabbing him and Niall kneed him as hard as he could between the legs. By the squeal it let out and the way he fell face-first onto the wooden flooring, the beasts had the same vulnerable spot as other males. He leaned over the guard and sliced its throat.

Flinging a dagger into the nape of one of the beasts that had Padriag sent that guard falling onto the floor. Taking advantage of the distraction, quick as lightening, Padriag dispatched the fallen guard as Niall attacked the other one by jumping on its back and slicing his sharpened blade across its throat.

Niall signaled for Padriag to follow him back to the room where Tamara and the other woman were. They stopped just outside, unsure how to proceed.

Meliot seemed to be growing impatient. “Stop fighting me and accept your fate.” A grunt told Niall that Tamara continued to fight the wizard, and for whatever reason, Meliot seemed unable to fight her.

They’d suspected he’d been growing weaker, as the quests he’d sent them on in the last year had become less perilous and his skin had taken an ashen hue as of late.

“Enough with the fate shit. I am not staying here. You are not killing my friends, and I am going to ensure you never harm anyone again.” Tamara’s voice was tight with anger, but the slight tremor told Niall she was terrified. “You are a terrible villain. Do you know why?”

When Meliot didn’t respond, she continued. “Because you cannot kill any of us. Something blocks you from it. I am right aren’t I?”

Niall smiled in spite of himself. He loved her spunk.

He loved her.

The wizard sneered. “You will worship me, once you discover the powers within. I am your sire, therefore darkness lives within you.”

It had to be a lie. There was nothing dark within Tamara. Niall prayed she didn’t believe him.

“Ha,” Tamara replied. “That I don’t believe. If I was in anyway related to you, I would sense it. The only thing I feel for you is hate.”

Sounds of battle became louder. The sentinels and Atlandian warriors had managed to get inside the castle.

Niall hoped with all his might they’d get to them in time.