Page 17 of The Last Knight (The Cursed Kingdom #5)

Upon hitting Gunther’s chest, the figurine burst into shards that fell to the floor. He scowled down the pieces and then at her. “I thought you’d noticed I was here,” he said, not moving.

Aubrey held a second figurine up, this one a horse. “Are you possessed?” Both her voice and hand shook. How would she know if he’d turned evil?

“I am not sure what you mean?” Gunther’s deep accented voice was sharp. “I am the same as before.”

She took a step forward, the horse at the ready, and looked into his eyes. Admittedly, it was the wrong thing to do because visions of their kiss flooded her addled brain and her face heated.

“All right. I suppose you do look the same. I am not sure how I would be able to tell if you were consumed by evil.”

His wide shoulders lifted and lowered. “I suppose you will sense it. I will not come near you if the darkness overtakes me.” He looked around the space. “Is this where you hope to find something to help me?”

Aubrey put the horse down gently and lifted her phone to turn off the music. “Not to help you, but to see if there is something that is causing this.” She motioned between them. “Since I don’t know anything about magic or such, I have no idea what exactly to look for.”

He was dressed casually this day, with brown slacks, a blue pullover and joggers. The blue shirt made his eyes seem especially brighter. The blue pools making it hard to tear her gaze away.

Forcing herself to look away, she motioned to a stack of small boxes. “I am going to sort through those today. If you wish, you can do it with me.”

Why was she inviting an evil being to hang out? Aubrey prayed he’d say no.

“I was going to offer to help.”

Suddenly awkward, Aubrey wasn’t sure how to handle things. “Do you want something to drink?”

“Perhaps later.” He moved to the first box, lifted it and placed it on a table. Then he motioned to it. “Do you wish me to open it?”

Aubrey nodded and then stood transfixed as he reached to his side and took a dagger from a sheath she’d not noticed.

While he cut through the packing tape, head bent, it was as if he were a normal guy helping her.

A very hot, but regular guy. Not one who ruled an entire realm, a king of sorts.

A ruler who wielded magical powers and was equal parts good and evil.

“How does it feel?” Aubrey asked. “To have powers and rule an entire…realm?” She reached into the box and took out a pair of wrapped bundles.

A crease formed between Gunther’s brows as he considered her question.

“I am still not accustomed to it. It is as if currents of electric…” he pointed to the swaying lightbulb.

“As if currents travel under my skin constantly. I do not care for it. However, when I have dark thoughts, when the darkness beckons, the sensations are different, enjoyable…I suppose you can call it stimulating.”

He lifted a wrapped bundle and Aubrey nodded, giving him permission to tear it open. She did the same to the two she’d dug out. All three were part of a set, cups and saucers with matching floral motifs. The rest of the box was the same, all with the same pattern.

Gunther lifted the box and placed it next to the other items she planned to donate. “Two to go,” Aubrey said.

Curiously, as they worked, opening boxes and going through the items, she didn’t want him to leave.

He was good company, not pushing for a conversation and he’d not tried to do anything to make her feel uncomfortable.

If anything, she was the one who couldn’t tear her gaze away when their eyes met, and who stole glances at him when he busied himself opening boxes or digging through them.

“What do you think about this?” He held a tarnished pewter goblet. “It looks to be quiet old.”

Aubrey walked closer, studying the object, timid to touch it. “Do you sense anything? I would think that you would know better than me.”

“I am not sure that I would,” Gunther admitted. “To be honest, like you, I have no idea what to look for or that, if we do find the item, I will know.”

“Let me see,” Aubrey held out her hand and he gave her the goblet.

At their fingers touching, awareness spread up her arm.

Begrudgingly, she admitted to herself that she could be holding the Holy Grail, and it was doubtful she’d realize it.

A look or touch from Gunther was more powerful than the garish goblet.

“I will put this aside. So far it’s the only item we have found of interest.”

They held each other’s gazes for a beat too long. “We should talk,” Aubrey began.

Gunther didn’t break eye contact. “About the kiss?” His attention moved to her lips. “I think about it all the time.”

Her breath caught. “Yes, well we shouldn’t have. I was impulsive and being who you are, I prefer it not happen again.”

Taking a step closer, his eyes narrowed. “I would prefer it to happen again and often. You are different from any woman I have ever known. What I mean is, had known, before I went to the other realm.”

Unable to stop herself, Aubrey wondered if the women in his realm were more beautiful and if he’d been in any relationship there. “What are the women in the other realm like?”

Gunther dropped his gaze. “The females in the Dark Realm are from a race called Torant. They are large, tall as me, humanlike, but have elongated faces, like a horse…or maybe a wolf.”

“That doesn’t sound attractive,” Aubrey said. “Are there no humans there?”

“In the other realm where I lived for many years, there are women who live in the villages.”

As she was about to ask how long it had been since he’d been with a woman, dongs of bells sounded. Someone was at the front door.

“Keep looking. I will be right back.” Aubrey hurried up the stairs. The interruption was a good thing. Asking about other women would give Gunther the wrong impression. That she was interested in him.

Catching her reflection in a hallway mirror, she hesitated. Cheeks flushed, eyes bright, she looked excited, happy even. Her hormones were definitely working.

Without looking, she opened the door prepared to sign for a package. Instead, Marcus stood there, his hand up as if to knock.

“Aubrey.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Can we talk?”

It took several seconds for the fact that her ex stood at the door to sink in. The hesitation gave Marcus the impression he could enter, and he walked past her to stand in the front parlor.

“I’d forgotten how grand this house is,” Marcus said looking around the space. “It has always taken my breath. This was to be our home. Remember?”

The ability to speak finally happened and Aubrey took a breath. “What do you want Marcus? I thought I made it clear that I am not interested. You and I will not get back together.”

Looking her in the eyes, Marcus took a step toward her, and she took one back. “Aubrey, honestly. Everyone makes mistakes, and you of all people should understand. After all, wasn’t I a mistake? You were dating someone else when we met.”

“How dare you!” She couldn’t keep her tone even. “Unlike you, I was honest with Andrew and broke things off before agreeing to go out with you. You cheated on me. I have moved past it.”

There was a gleam of triumph in his expression. “So, you have forgiven me then?”

“Please leave and don’t return.”

“Aubrey…”

“She said leave.” Gunther walked into the room and came to stand next to Aubrey. His sheer size made the slender, five-foot-ten Marcus look like an adolescent by comparison.

Marcus’ mouth opened, but he recovered quickly, his eyes narrowing at Aubrey. “Does he know about us?”

To his credit, Gunther allowed her to speak, not doing more than standing by silently. At the same time, she could sense the irritation emanating from him.

“There is no us. There hasn’t been for over a year.” Aubrey looked up at Gunther. “Gunther, this is Marcus. He was my partner until he cheated on me.”

Gunther’s eyebrows shot up. “Then he is a fool.”

By the flare of his nostrils and lips pressed into a tight line, Marcus was furious. He was not so much of an idiot to challenge Gunther. “Is he your lover?”

Aubrey rolled her eyes. “Go home Marcus. Leave Linlithgow. There is no reason for you to be here.”

When Marcus hesitated, Gunther took a step forward and Marcus’ eyes widened. Not only was Gunther huge, but the jagged scar that ran down the side of his face made him look like a ruthless killer. With one hand, he grabbed the front of Marcus’ shirt lifting him from the ground effortlessly.

“Leave and do not bother her again.” He walked to the still-open front door and shoved Marcus out. Then he closed the door firmly. Keeping his back to her, Gunther let out a long breath.

When he turned, Aubrey lost her ability to breathe at the sight of a wide smile and dimples.

“I kept it at bay,” Gunther said, still grinning. “The darkness. It was not hard. I was able to do so easily.”

Aubrey couldn’t help it; she smiled back and allowed him to wrap his arms around her. Hugging her tightly, he spoke into her ear. “I will always protect you.”

Her entire body came to life at the feel of his against hers.

If only they could remain like this, not breaking apart.

She inhaled his scent, felt the softness of his hair against her cheek.

The strength of his arms, enveloping her and the hard expanse of his chest. Being held by him was the most protected she’d ever felt.

Even her father did not give her the safe harbor of Gunther’s embrace.

Recalling her promise to Erin and the others, she pushed away. “I have to head back downstairs and go through the last box.”

Gunther nodded at the implication she didn’t want him to go with her. “My presence is not welcome.”

She closed her eyes and tilted her head back. “I am torn between who you are and what you represent. I am attracted to you. If you were from here, we would probably be in my bed by now. But I promised the others, and so did you, that we would stay away from each other. And yet here we are.”