Page 22 of The Last Knight (The Cursed Kingdom #5)

Chapter Fifteen

T he air around Gunther tingled, prickling his skin like thousands of miniscule needles. Not painful per se, but to the point that he wanted to remove his clothing and scratch until his skin bled.

He shifted on the throne, barely able to concentrate on the generals who spoke, the entire time shooting him wary looks.

Since the day before, they’d been as tame as puppies, but he knew a deep hatred simmered just beneath the surface.

“Indros, ruler of the Yorian Realm, will arrive before night’s fall,” Joc was stating. “The border guard has informed us that the of the ruler and his mounted warriors have passed into our territory.

Gunther tried to remember what had occurred, if there had been a discussion or preparation for the meeting, but his memories were hazy.

He’d come to on the floor behind a piece of furniture, not remembering how he’d come to be there.

He remembered very little. His last memory was of punishing the generals for something. Unfortunately, he couldn’t recall what.

It was best not to let them know that particular fact.

“Scribe!” he called out. Why wasn’t the blasted man there? He was always present when the generals, or anyone for that matter, sought to speak to him.

It took longer than usual, by the time Phillippe finally appeared. “I apologize for the delay. I had to collect the necessary items…” the man stopped talking and shuffled to sit at the table and chair next to the throne.

“Can you tell me what was planned for Indros’ next visit?” he asked the man in a low voice. “He arrives shortly.”

Phillippe met his gaze for a moment, as if searching for something, then lowered it and began turning the pages of a thick tome.

“Ah yes, here we are. You were to come up with a reply to his suggestion that you join forces against Esland.”

“Anything else?”

Phillippe spoke in a whisper. “You do not trust him to keep his end of the bargain.”

“True,” Gunther replied.

Suddenly he sensed a movement, not there in a room, but nearby. All was not as it was supposed to be. A sort of shift in the air was present.

He scanned the room, noting only the generals and guards. Then he descended from the throne and walked past the wide windows, to the balcony.

Everything looked to be as it should, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling there was something different. Something tangible and out of place. Once the visit was done, he’d investigate it fully.

The scribe studied Gunther for a moment. “Sire, do you wish for some food to be brought? You haven’t eaten since yesterday.”

The generals exchanged indecipherable looks.

Gunther waved them away. “Leave and return just before Indros arrives. I do not require anything else from you.”

“Master, are we not to discuss how the visit should go?” Kel asked, his voice sounding almost desperate. “You did say you wished for us to come to an agreement about how the army is to be handled.”

Delving into the Torant’s mind was useless, the ward remained intact. A sign of being betrayed, which meant he needed them gone so that he could prepare fully for whatever was to come.

“Leave me. Return in an hour. I need time alone to consider things.”

The generals turned to the guards as if assessing their strength. It didn’t matter what they ordered. Gunther was powerful enough to disintegrate them all with but a slight movement of his fingers.

Finally, they bowed and walked out, followed by four guardsmen.

Gunther looked to his personal guard. “Go away.”

The guards’ eyes rounded. “Master, it is impossible to protect you…”

“Would you really kill your own to protect me?” Gunther interrupted. “I do not believe so. Now do as I say.”

Once alone in the room, Gunther let out a sigh and looked at Phillippe. “What is it you are hiding?”

The scribe’s expression didn’t change and when he delved into his mind, he saw only pictures of food. A large roast, potatoes and a steaming pot of soup. The man was obviously very hungry, or over the decades had grown adept at guarding his thoughts.

“Sire, I do not hide anything from you. May I ask a question?”

Gunther nodded.

The Scribe inhaled. “Have you allowed the darkness full rein? Is it your counsel now?”

Interesting that the man was not afraid to ask such a question. The prickling sensation grew stronger, and Gunther blew out an annoyed breath. “It is contained, but barely.”

“I see,” Phillippe frowned and slid a glance to the adjoining door that led to his study. “There is someone here. Someone from the other realm.”

“Esland?”

Phillippe shook his head. “No sire. From the other side. From Scotland.”

“Who is it?” he asked, although he already knew.

His stomach tightened and fear of what could happen threatened to surface. If it was Aubrey, could he defend her from the darkness, from the Torants and soon from the Yorian visitors?

“It is Aubrey,” Phillippe informed him. “She is very scared and not sure how she came to be here.”

His chest tightened. “Where is she?”

“In the study.”

At that moment the door opened, and four servants walked in with platters that were placed atop a long table. After, they stood lined up waiting to serve.

“We will serve ourselves,” Gunther said. “Leave now.”

There must have been a menace in his voice because they practically ran out of the room.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes concentrating on the balance of good and evil inside him. It was evident that the darkness was the stronger of the two, however, he was still able to keep it at bay.

“Bring her in.”

When Phillippe turned to walk to the doorway, Gunther rushed after him. “No wait. I will fetch her.”

He opened the door to an empty space. Aubrey was in the room, but she hid. “Aubrey, it’s me.”

From behind heavy drapes her face appeared, wide eyes meeting his. Then she pushed the curtains aside and darted to him, tears streaming down her face.

She collided against him. “I am so scared. Please help me go home. I want to go home.”

The poor woman shook so hard that, when he wrapped his arms around her, he couldn’t still her and figure out what hard item was crushed into his lower chest.

“I-I was in the c-cellar and…and then I-I was here. I am s-so very sc-scared.”

Pressing his lips to her hair, Gunther whispered. “I am going to help you, but please calm down. There is no need to fret.”

Aubrey lifted her head and looked up to him, her brown eyes filled with so much hope. Even with a flushed face and eyelashes clumped with tears, she was breathtaking. In that instant a feeling like he’d never felt surged. He loved her and would protect this woman with his life.

“Are you hungry?” he asked. “There is food in my…er the throne room.”

She glanced to the slightly opened door. “Are those things in there?”

Unsure what she’d seen, he looked to the door, then recalled she’d never seen Torants and had probably caught sight of one.

“No. The only person in there is Phillippe, my scribe.”

“I am not very hungry but do wish for something to drink.” She searched his face. “Is it safe?”

“Yes.” He pressed his lips to hers, hoping to convey calm and assurance. Keeping his arm around her, he steered her through the doorway.

Not releasing whatever it was she clung to, Aubrey allowed him to guide her to the throne room. Upon entering, she gasped, her head moving as she took in the high ceiling, the enormous, ostentatious throne and overly ornate furnishing.

Phillippe stood by the table holding two plates piled with food. “I will take my meal in the study.” Not waiting for Gunther’s reply, he hurried past.

“Return to perform your duties as scribe when the generals come back,” Gunther stated and the scribe nodded and disappeared, closing the door behind him.

Gunther led Aubrey to a chair and lowered to sit next to her. He was ravenous, but the hunger was not as important as making sure Aubrey calmed, her fears alleviated.

Taking the only other plate left, he placed it between them. He added thinly sliced meat, a few of the other offerings and gave her a fork. Then he poured cider for them.

“It will make me feel better if you eat. I cannot eat in front of you without feeling guilty,” Gunther gave her a teasing look.

Her brows lowered. “Okay.” She speared a small piece of meat and bit it. After chewing it for a scant second, she ate the rest. “This is very good.”

Tearing a chunk of bread, Gunther dipped it into the gravy, placed a piece of meat atop it and ate.

They ate in silence and then Gunther met her gaze. “Tell me what happened just before you found yourself here.”

“I was in the cellar with the others, Erin, Padriag, Sabrina, Gwen, Gavin and Tristan. They’d found these three items.” She moved back and lifted a bowl with two things in it from her lap. One was a pendant, the other looked to be a case of some sort.

“I picked them up and, next thing I knew, I was here.”

He concentrated on the items, not sensing anything. “What are they?”

Aubrey placed the bowl on the table. “A leather necklace with a pendant.” He held it up for his inspection. “One of those creatures is etched on it.” She pointed to the center of the stone. “In here,” she said lifting an oblong item, “is a jeweled dagger. And then there’s this bowl that matches.”

Indeed, the bowl was made of an amber stone and etched with intricate carvings.

“ Take those things. Destroy them. ” The darkness’ voice was so loud, for a moment he thought Aubrey had said it. “ Destroy her, she is the one who will bring our demise. The one who brings the end to all that are these realms. Every soul, every being, every creature. ”

A ringing so loud it was painful filled his head and he cupped both hands over his ears.

“Gunther.” A faraway voice said his name. “Gunther, are you okay?”

The voice grew louder. “What’s wrong?”

It was Aubrey. She cupped his face, worried eyes searching his face.

“I am fine. Considering what to do.” When he slid a glance to the bowl, his body jerked, the darkness urging him to take it.

“A hostile visitor arrives;, I need to get you home before he realizes you’re here. Take the items with you. Do you understand? Put them somewhere only you know and do not give them to anyone.”

“Not even you?” She asked. “What are they used for?”

Gunther shook his head. “I don’t know. I sense they are weapons against the darkness.”

She hurriedly lifted the bowl. “What if you need them?”

“You will know if you can trust me. Listen to your heart.” He met her gaze.

He enveloped her in his arms and willed them to the other realm. Nothing happened. When he tried again, a feeling like that of knives sinking into his flesh made him stop, as he fought the urge to scream at the pain.

Blowing out a breath, he released Aubrey. “I need time to find the way to do it. I have brought people from the other realm and taken them back. I am not sure why I can’t now.

It was best to get her to safety, somewhere she could rest.

He crossed the room to the study and opened the door finding the scribe who was reading through a large tome.

“I am reviewing notes from the Yorian’s last visit, Sire.”

“Take Miss Aubrey, through the back corridor, to my bedchamber. Instruct that no one is to go in there.” The Scribe gave him a questioning look. “I will ward the room, so that if anyone looks in, they will not see her.”

The man visible relaxed. “I will do it immediately. Meanwhile, I suggest you read the notes regarding what we discussed after Indros’ last visit.”

He turned back and found that Aubrey stood right behind him, obviously still nervous. It was hard not to go with her, to hold her until she calmed. Kiss her until she forgot everything but him. Make love to her, imagining it was only them and not the chaotic situation they found themselves in.

“Go with Phillippe. All will be well. If anyone opens the door to my bedchamber, stay calm, they will not see you.”

She leaned her head into his chest. “You promise?”

Gunther cupped her face lifting it so that he could look into her eyes. “I promise.”

Her beauty took his breath away. When he returned Aubrey to her realm, he would never seek her again. She deserved so much better than him.