Page 19 of The Darkest Knight (The Cursed Kingdom #3)

Chapter Nineteen

T he roaring sounds of the mechanical contraption he was trapped in hummed and sent vibrations though the entire craft. Niall clenched the arm of the chair he was strapped into, closed his eyes, and held his breath. This was not natural. Man was not intended to fly in something that wasn’t even alive.

The airplane, as they’d called it, had no connection to the world, no fear of plummeting. At least when flying on a dragon one knew the beast did not want to splat onto the ground below, not on purpose at least.

“Are you all right?” Sabrina, Tamara’s sister, asked him and placed her hand over his. “I imagine it’s pretty terrifying to fly in an airplane for the first time.” He opened his eyes and glanced at her. She smiled, but the lines of worry remained on her brow. “Once we reach a cruising altitude, er … height, it will be smoother. The pilot, Derrick, has a lot of experience.”

She referred to the man who guided the metal dragon. Derrick was related to Tristan, and he not only favored the Laird, but had the same stubborn, self-assured personality as his ancestor.

Derrick McRainey arrived just that morning announcing they’d leave within an hour to America. Evidently. Tristan not only had a huge fortune, but he also owned a private airplane, which Derrick flew.

The flight did not seem to affect Liam, who sat across from them sipping a drink and reading a glossy book. The Brit appeared to be relaxed.

The airplane finally stopped climbing and leveled off. Sabrina was right, the movement seemed smoother. They’d be flying for ten hours at least, so he took a deep calming breath. It helped, but not much. He frowned at Liam. “Why are you flying with us? You could have just stayed back.”

With a slight shrug, Liam replied. “I might as well get used to the new way of travel. It’s cumbersome don’t you think? It’s going to be an adjustment not to be able to will ourselves elsewhere.”

He gave Sabrina a crooked grin. “John is there for a book event and is excited about meeting me at the port.”

“Airport,” Sabrina corrected him. “Atlanta is a huge city; there is so much to do. You’ll love it. I believe it’s like London at its height when you lived there.”

Niall wondered if he’d like living there. He wasn’t sure what Tamara would demand in exchange for forgiving him. He’d prefer to return to Scotland, but at this point he couldn’t ask for anything. The most he could hope for was that she agree to be part of his life. If she wished to remain in America, so would he.

“Have you thought about what you’re going to say to her?” Sabrina asked, studying him. “When she left, Tammie was set on never seeing you again and not returning to Scotland until able to be around you. You hurt her Niall, and she’s a very proud person. I hope you can change her mind.”

“I hope so too. What can I do but hope that she cares enough for me to hear my explanation.” He gratefully accepted a glass of wine from a male attendant.

“I think, she will not only forgive you, but I believe she’ll agree to return to Scotland as well.” Liam remarked, stretching. How the man could be so relaxed was baffling.

“Is this a vision?” Niall asked.

Liam shook his head. “I don’t seem to have them when I’m in this realm.”

If his fate was to live alone in Scotland with his friends and his horse, then it was more than he could have ever hoped for. Still, he wanted Tamara to be part of it.

The odd thing about wet paint was that when she flung a still fresh canvas across the room, it made an interesting pattern. Once again she flicked the brush, speckles flying onto the canvas.

Tammie blew her bangs off her forehead and put her brushes down. In one week, she was to take part in an art expo. So far she only had four paintings.

She’d agreed to have at least eight. The green landscape she’d been working on was an abstract of a Scottish landscape. Shades of green under a grayish blue sky with bright slashes of brownish shades cutting between.

She bent and picked it up, putting it back on the easel. She cocked her head to the side. It didn’t help. What had been a mediocre effort at best was now ugly. She shouldn’t have flung the orange paint on it. Sweeping her arm across, her wrist collided with the edge of the canvas sending it onto the floor.

Tammie stormed from the room and passed through the darkened townhouse without noticing how empty and quiet it was.

Sabrina always kept the house fully lit, loving the ambiance of the different lamps and other light fixtures she and Gwen had collected over the years. There were spotlights for Tammie’s artwork, blown glass lamps that hung over the kitchen counters; Tiffany style lighting usually warmed the sitting area in the living room.

In her bedroom, she made a beeline for the bathroom, not wanting to get any paint on her bedding or rugs.

Once in the shower, she allowed the hot water to wash over her, relieving the stress of her muscles. She turned her back to the steamy flow and hung her head so that her spine stretched under the massaging water. She’d finally spoken with her mother and explained about her powers and losing them.

There was a different feel to her body, it was as if she had to learn to use her arms and legs again. It was lighter in a way, as if she’d lost pounds off her limbs. The magic was gone, the moment is had happened, when she’d transferred it to Valor, she’d felt it drain from every pore, every inch. Strange sensations akin to strings being pulled from under her skin had left her raw, barely able to stand touch.

When she’d faced her sisters, they’d immediately known.

“This is what mother was afraid of,” Gwen said. “That you’d give up everything if you came to Scotland.”

Sabrina had given her a knowing look. “The sacrifice.”

Needing to reassure her mother, Tammie had called and told her everything. Between sniffs, her mother told her how relieved she was that the sacrificed she’d foreseen was not what she’d feared. Apparently, she’d had recurring dreams of Tammie being trapped in another realm never to return.

Then her mother had asked about Niall and what would happen next. Tammie had been vague in her answer. “Time will tell.”

Niall had been asleep when she’d walked into the room to see him for the last time.

At that point, she’d figured out how to break the curse. Calling the men into the room, she’d chanted the spell and had them repeated it. Then holding her hands up, she’d surrendered her magic to the universe.

A strong whirlwind had swept the room, then it was silent. When she tried to form a fireball, nothing happened.

“He’s free,” Liam had announced, and the others nodded. Apparently, a surge of energy swept through them each time one of them was freed.

Just thinking about the last weeks in Scotland made her tired. No, she was not ready to think about Scotland, which in turn meant her thoughts would immediately turn to him.

She climbed into bed and closed her eyes, the soft sound of traffic outside lulling her to sleep.

“Tammie,” A voice hissed, “are you asleep?”

“What?” Tammie bolted up banging foreheads with Sabrina. “Ow!” They both yelped.

“You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?” Tammie squinted at the now-lit room. “And why in the hell did you turn on the bright overhead light?”

Sabrina smiled; she looked refreshed, at midnight. Only her sister would look that good in the middle of the night. “I came to see you. We’re worried about you. You left so quickly.”

Her expression changed, eyes sliding to the doorway, lips curving into a mischievous smile. “I brought you a present too.”

Tammie narrowed her eyes, peering at Sabrina’s hands. “I don’t see any present.”

“Oh, no silly, you have to get dressed and come out to the living room. It’s too big to carry.” Sabrina giggled, her eyes twinkling, which made Tammie more suspicious.

“Why do I have to be dressed?” It didn’t make sense unless there were people in the living room. It’s not some sort of surprise party is it?”

Sabrina gave her an innocent wide-eyed look. “I’m not saying anything else.” She turned on her heel and practically ran out of the room.

Only Sabrina would think a surprise party in the middle of the night was something she’d enjoy. As much as she detested the idea of a party, she was too nosy to remain in bed.

She would not get dressed. The people would be subjected to her bright pink tank top and bikini panty set. She’d say hello and go back to bed.

“That will teach them,” she mumbled, padding toward the living room in bare feet.

The living room was gloomy and empty. Only one lamp was lit. She stood for a moment tapping her bare foot.

“Sabrina?”

No one replied.

“This isn’t funny. If people are going to jump out and say surprise, do it now or I’m going back to bed.”

Still no one answered.

She turned and inspected the empty kitchen. Where the hell did Sabrina go? “I’m going back to bed sister. Your joke is lame.” She turned to go back to the bedroom. The sound of the back door shutting caused her to turn.

Niall stood by the back door. Although she could not see his face clearly, she recognized him. His stance was rigid, which made her wonder if Sabrina had forced him to come. This was not her idea of a good present. Once again, Niall forced to do something against his will.

He didn’t want to leave the enchantment, his love so great for his wife that he’d rather remain in the alter-world and die to be with her. He sure as hell did not want to be with Tammie. But, knowing her conniving sisters, they’d played on his honor code and told him being with her was the right thing to do. Now here he stood, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but.

“Hello, Tamara.” He always called her Tamara, pronouncing it like no one else, but somehow it sounded like a caress when he said it. The sound of his voice wrapped over her like a warm blanket. “How are you?” He came closer, and she could see the discomfort in his expression. She felt sorry for him.

“Niall, you didn’t have to fly here. I know that was probably not a pleasant experience,” Tammie told him. He didn’t respond, only watched her, his grey eyes scanning over her, hesitating at seeing the panties.

She felt naked in her skimpy pajamas and went to the kitchen needing to place the counter between them. For once she should have listened to Sabrina and gotten dressed.

“Look, I know my sisters can be convincing. They manipulated you into coming here and marrying me by taking advantage of the knight’s honor code, didn’t they?”

“No,” he replied watching her with intensity. “I did not have to be forced to come here.”

Of course he would not admit to being forced. “So why are you here then? Did you suddenly decide that you are capable of caring for me? Because last time we talked you were pretty fervent about how you could never feel anything for me.”

“Forgive me.” The sincerity in his eyes made her believe he was sorry for hurting her feelings.

She shrugged, pretending it was nothing. “You can’t help how you feel. You don’t have to apologize. Granted, you didn’t have to be so harsh, but then again, you left no room for any misunderstanding.”

“I need you to listen to me.” He came around the counter and reached for her but lowered his arm at her lifting her hands up to stop him. “Will you allow me to explain?”

As it was, she fought to keep her emotions in check. She wanted to touch him. Her mind and body craved his touch. She wanted to cry, allow the tears to finally fall, tell him how much she missed him. How she’d agree to anything as long as he stayed with her. But it would not work. He didn’t love her, and she would not force him to remain with her out of a sense of honor.

“I can’t, Niall. There is nothing you can say that will convince me your feelings have changed so drastically in such a short period.”

“My feelings for you have never changed.”

“At least you’re honest.” She turned away from him to hide the tears that threatened. Damn him and her nosy sisters. “Please go.”

He didn’t move so she went around him. “Fine. Stay if you want. Do whatever you want. I’m going back to bed. Tell Sabrina her present sucked.”

Tammie ran to her bedroom and crawled into the bed, tears falling. Sorrow cut painfully through the layers of protection she’d tried to build. If only she didn’t love him so completely, it wouldn’t hurt as much.

The bed dipped and strong arms surrounded her, pulling Tammie against him. She wanted to argue and push him away, but it was no use. She could never resist his touch.

He kissed her hair and softly urged her to calm. “Tamara don’t cry. I am so very sorry for hurting you,” Niall pleaded. “I needed to protect you. That is why I said those things.”

As much as she knew it was best to move away, Tammie didn’t stir, it felt so good to just allow him to hold her.

“There was more to my imprisonment than the enchantment you see,” Niall continued, “I was also trapped by Devina, a trap that even here I could not escape. I could not sentence you to a marriage with someone who could not sleep for fear of being taken to her dungeon and her bed.”

He kissed her again and, placing his hand under her chin, turned her face up to him. “Believe me when I tell you that hurting you was as painful for me as it was for you. But I saw no other way.”

Tammie waited until she could finally speak without blubbering. She took a deep cleansing breath. “Why are you telling me all of this now? Has something changed with that bitch?”

“She’s dead,” Niall told her, his voice filled with hatred. “A death that did not do justice to what she truly deserved.”

“Are you sure she’s dead?”

“I have not been pulled into her realm. I have waited to be sure I would not be drawn away by her before coming here. I believe she is truly dead.”

“Oh,” was the only response Tammie could manage before continuing. “Those were your two cages then.”

“Aye, I’m free. Two cages were Meliot and Devina. Her death along with McMurray’s spell and your sacrifice…” He hesitated, his eyes misting, “it broke the enchantment.”

“What if one of the cages was the love that tethers you to your wife? You wanted to reunite with her. Wasn’t that one of the reasons you resisted being rescued?”

His eyes went soft, and lips curved into a barely there smile. “I will never stop loving Caitlin or thinking of my children. However, they are my past, another lifetime. You, Tamara, are my present.”

Tammie was not sure what to think. “What do you wish for now?” Her breath caught, waiting for his answer.

“I want you in whatever way you allow,” he replied. “In exchange, I offer you all of me. I love you Tamara Lockhart.”

For the first time in her life, Tammie was struck silent.

“Do you have nothing to say?” Niall asked.

She shook her head, took his face in her hands, and pulled his lips to hers.

His response was ardent, his lips covering hers. She felt him relax and fall with her onto the bed. When his tongue began to explore her mouth, she ran her hands through his hair. Niall’s hands moved down her side and he caressed her back and butt, each touch filling her with heat and want.

Her limited clothing was gone before she knew it. He removed his with haste and when he held her to him, she reveled in the feel of his hard body pressed to hers. They lay side by side, his hardness teasing her as he tasted her skin, kissing her neck, shoulders, and breasts.

They made love with urgency, with passion, with greed.

Everything disappeared except each other, the sounds of their lovemaking, harsh breaths, and sounds of suckling both lips and skin.

Their movements became almost frantic racing toward the crest from which the fall would be ever so magical.

In that moment, Tammie understood what it meant to be fully loved. Niall loved every part of her, body, mind, and soul.

To her, he was perfection, their bodies recognizing the other half, the only partner each would ever require. Nothing else could possibly reach the level of sensations, the heights that they reached together.

Just as she began to climb, Tammie met Niall’s gaze. “I love you.”

In response, he inhaled deeply, his eyes falling closed. “And I love you.”

His movements continued, and with each plunge, he urged her closer to release until stars exploded behind her eyelids. The sound of his release, the hoarse deep moan as his entire body shuddered, sent her to float with him.

They lay silent, both caressing the other, not wanting to break the spell of their reunion.

He sighed contentedly and kissed her neck. This tall, handsome, mostly silent man who she loved belonged to her now.

Tammie couldn’t stop smiling.

He rolled off of her, but held her tightly against his

“Do you love me?” Niall asked.

She caressed his face. “I love you with all my being.”

“Will you marry me?”

The question caught her off guard. “Uh ... Are you sure?” she stuttered.

“Of course I am sure.”

“Well I am certainly not going to allow you to run around this realm single and looking so medieval and hot. Women are going to throw themselves at you.”

“I do not know what you said.” He kissed her lightly. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes,” Tammie replied trailing her hand down his chest past his stomach. “Oh yes.”