Page 43 of An Enchanted Knight

“Tristan, I do understand. I have sisters that I love more than life. But at the same time, you have to know that Meliot is probably lying.”

The others left to give them privacy, Gwen kept trying to dissuade Tristan out of giving up until he finally fell into an exhausted sleep.

Niall returned, went to the bed and placed his hands over him. Gwen watched, fascinated as light came from his palms and radiated into Tristan’s body. Other than moaning, he didn’t wake up.

“He’s badly injured, but he will want to be healed so that we can go and rescue his daughter,” Niall told her, his grey eyes meeting hers. “Gavin will take you back to your world as soon as you are ready.”

“I won’t be until morning,” Gwen replied. Expecting an argument, she continued. “Just give me a few hours. I’m trying to figure this out. I don’t know that I can leave you guys here, trapped forever.”

“What proof did Meliot give? I refuse to believe it is true?”

. “None that I heard.” The large Irishman glanced at the bed. “Were ye willing to carry out the sacrifice?”

“I was never told what it was.” Gwen’s mind spun. “Tristan said he wasn’t clear on what it is. I haven’t had the opportunity to consider it.”

He shrugged, “It doesna matter now. Our fate is sealed.”

She reached and placed her hand on his forearm. His eyes widened, his entire body tensing. She snatched her hand back. Bad idea. The man had not been touched by a woman in centuries. “How can you give up so easily? Niall, talk him out of it. He seems to listen to you.”

“He will not change his mind. We can’t keep you here verra much longer.” He gave her a crooked smile, melting her heart, and without thinking, she stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. Hearing his intake of breath, she moved away.

“Thank you, Niall. For everything you are doing for him.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

This was a very bad idea. Probably the worst idea she’d ever had. Gwen stumbled, falling for the third time. It was pitch-black outside. She couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face. With arms outstretched, she continued forward, away from the keep.

She began to chant the spell warding herself from being seen and sensed. Perhaps if she built a bubble, she could avoid trees or worse, cliffs. She ran into a tree limb and yelped in pain. So much for that idea.

She’d remained in Tristan’s room for hours, chanting the freeing spell over the sleeping Tristan, again and again. While chanting, her sacrifice became clear. Suddenly she knew what the sacrifice was, and it tore her entire being to shreds.

Was she willing to sacrifice everything to save a man? Leave the life she knew forever and risk losing her own life?

Four men had been living here, in this utterly horrible place, for hundreds of years. They’d been toyed with and tortured, held in limbo with no hope.

Picturing her sisters, tears trickled down her face. Sabrina and Tabitha would understand, but they would be heartbroken.

Her mind was made up. If she had to remain here and take Tristan’s place, she would do it.

Whether or not Clara was here, was not clear. In truth, Gwen doubted the child had been held here, but she would find out.

The decision part was easy, but now outside in the darkness, she began to have second thoughts. Perhaps she should have formulated a better plan. Something more than just getting out of the keep undetected and running away, in hopes Meliot’s minions would find her and take her back to his castle.

When she was snatched up and carried away, she felt almost relieved. Whatever carried her didn’t seem to be affected by her ward spell. Flying up into the air, Gwen suppressed a scream. Whatever the creature, it was surprisingly gentle in the way it held her in his huge claws. The sound of its wings flapping and the wind whooshing past let her know they moved at a very fast speed.

After what seemed like an hour, she saw lights.

Meliot’s castle was ahead. Her plan had worked.

The dragon—she could see the animal now—landed in a clearing and deposited her, again with surprising gentleness. He stood beside her, as if waiting for someone to approach. She stole a glance at the dragon. Its red eyes scanned the area, looking for movement. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear the huge beast protected her. However, if he killed anyone that tried to come near her, she wouldn’t be able to meet with Meliot.

“I need to go to the castle. Can you help me?” Gwen asked the dragon. His intelligent eyes met hers, but he didn’t budge.

She chanted the spell to break Tristan free again, just to be safe. Then she turned back to the beast. “Can you take me to Meliot?” He crouched down, placing his head on the ground, his eyes closed. Gwen took a step away and his eyes flashed open. She held her hands up. “Okay, not moving.”

Black wolves moved in the distance. They circled but didn’t come near. She wondered if these were shifters or just sentinels. The dragon lifted his head and growled. The wolves shifted nervously, but didn’t leave.

Gwen turned to the dragon; he studied the wolves, ignoring her. “I need to go to that castle.” She pointed toward the building. “Either take me over there or let me go on my own.”