Page 41 of An Enchanted Knight

From the way the princess curled her lip on the last word, Gwen gathered they were on the outs with Prince Sterling.

“Horseback is fine. Or however you travel,” she said, hoping she didn’t have to ride across a wolf’s back again

“Aye, we travel by horse or by carriage, although carriages can be cumbersome in the woods as there are few roads.”

They left the following day, Argo and two others escorting her back to the knights’ keep on horseback. It took almost eight hours. Once they’d arrived on the knights’ lands, Padraig and Liam appeared and guided them to their home. Meliot’s horsemen no longer surrounded the keep.

She hurried inside ahead of them, into the quiet great room. As Argo’s men entered behind her, the men greeted each other. The shifters were invited to stay the night. They’d leave in the morning to avoid the Icing.

Gwen pulled Padraig aside. “Where is Tristan? Can I see him?”

Uneasiness was quickly covered up. “He is here, upstairs in his chamber. Niall is with him. He has not quite recovered as yet.” Gwen began to move toward the stairs. Padraig stopped her, his hand catching her elbow.

“I’m sorry, Gwyneth. He doesn’t want to see you.”

Her widened eyes flew to his face. “What? Why not?”

“He’s been through a lot. It’s discomforting for a man to be seen in such a vulnerable state. Give him a couple of days.”

She sank into a chair and stared blankly into the fireplace. Had Tristan specifically told them he didn’t want to see her? She’d come so far to save him, and this was the result? Two days she’d been stuck recovering. It was a long time here in the alter-world. They didn’t have the luxury of indefinite time.

“He and I need to begin working the spell,” Gwen murmured. “There is much to do.”

Padraig nodded. “I know.”

“Would you like some tea?” Liam neared and held out a steaming cup to her. “You must be hungry. I’ll get food.”

Gwen took the cup, but didn’t drink from it.

Dinner was a somber event. They ate from large wooden platters full of meat and what looked like boiled potatoes. The shifters ate only the meat. Gwen had her fill, more than she expected.

“I need to speak to Tristan. It is ridiculous to give in to his sense of male pride at a time like this.”

Liam frown. “He is being healed. Needs to conserve his strength.”

“And I can help,” Gwen insisted.

When a visibly pale Niall came down the stairs and sat at the table, he acknowledged the visitors before looking toward her. “I am glad to see you are well.”

He piled his plate with food and began eating. His hand shook as he drank from his cup. No one asked him any questions, allowing him to eat in peace.

The shifters finished eating and left to check on their horses before bunking in the great room for the night, where pallets were already set out for them. Liam, the perfect host, began adding wood to the fire in the large fireplace.

“How is he?” Gwen asked Niall, who glanced at Padraig before answering. “His injuries are healing.” The curt reply did not satisfy her.

“I’ll take his dinner up,” Liam said, grabbing a plate piled with food.

Uneasiness filled the room.

“Tell me the truth,” Gwen snapped. “What is going on? Something is wrong with Tristan. What is it?”

Gavin cleared his throat, his amber eyes looking around the table before meeting hers. “You are correct, something happened to him. We’ve tried to talk to him, but he refuses to budge.”

“Budge? About what?”

“Tristan does not wish to be freed any longer. He insists you be returned. He is choosing to remain here, in the alter-world.”

“Tristan does not wish to be freed any longer.” Later that night, Gwen sat on the bed, the words repeating in her head.