Page 2 of The Darkest Knight

“Niall has good reason to be the way he is. I can’t imagine the grief he suffered at not only losing his wife, but his children as well. All because of an act of nobility,” Gwen said interrupting Tammie’s thoughts.

“Saving that village from a wizard’s curse on that day sealed their fate,” Sabrina added.

Tammie shuddered. “Not only that but being trapped in another realm for hundreds of years is horrible.”

“I understand Niall grieves, but he needs to give himself permission to live. It’s been hundreds of years,” Sabrina quipped, plopping down on the floor and stretching like a cat.

Despite loving life at the castle, Tammie had no plans to remain longer than necessary. “We have to consider if there is another reason why he is reluctant to be rescued. Maybe the idea of coming back here to a totally different time, where everything has changed, terrifies him.”

Gwen shook her head. “I told Tristan that if Niall doesn’t wish to be rescued, then it may be impossible to do so. My poor dear refuses to accept the idea of leaving a man behind.”

“Maybe we can move on to the other guy, Padriag. He wants to be rescued,” Tammie suggested.

“Unfortunately he hasn’t felt a pull to come here. It isn’t his time yet,” Gwen replied. “It is Niall’s turn. It has to be done in order.”

Tammie crossed her arms, tapping her fingers on her upper arms with impatience. “Then he’s coming out. I will do it with or without his help.”

Her sisters exchanged a look.

She narrowed her eyes at them. “What?”

“This is going to be an interesting one,” Gwen said looking past her, not meeting her gaze.

Sure she missed something, she gave them one last piercing look before she closed her eyes, tried to picture the knight in question, and began calling for him.

She’d been told Niall MacTavish was tall, dark and a classically handsome man, According to Sabrina, who was particularly good at describing people, given her work, Niall stood at about six two, with broad shoulders, the blackest hair she’d ever seen and piercing grey eyes the color of a stormy sky. Her sister had pronounced him to be “stunning”, which was saying a lot.

Trying her best to picture him, she recalled having been told that he seemed to sport a scowl constantly. Chanting, she called to him, feeling the connection almost immediately.

The room seemed to shift; she opened her eyes and saw that someone had appeared.

Liam, a lean blonde man stood before them. Dressed in clothing more suited for medieval times, he looked around the room and nodded in greeting to her sisters. His blue eyes landed on her and studied her briefly before speaking.

“Niall refuses to come.”

Tammie shook her head. “Liam, I told you to threaten him with bringing me back to the realm if he didn’t come here. Did you?”

Her sisters looked at her with rounded eyes. Gwen spoke up first. “Tammie, you can’t go there, it’s much too dangerous.”

“If you continue to summon him, he will have to come eventually,” Liam said. “He is beginning to fade in and out as it is.” He laughed. “Of course that means he is in a rather cross mood, not liking how you affect him.”

“Angrier than usual? How can you tell?” Sabrina asked.

“In that you are correct, Niall seems to be in a continuous bad mood as of late.”

Sabrina’s anxious eyes met hers. “Tammie give him a couple days. Then, if he doesn’t come, you will probably be forced to go to the alter-world.”

Tammie raised her gaze to Liam. “How long before you go to Atlandia?” she asked, referring to a region in the alter-world ruled by two queens who were somewhat friendly.

“Could be a few days yet,” Liam replied.

“Then I think I should go today. I’ll stay until you are forced to move to Atlandia. I don’t want to go to that place. It should be named Icelandia from what I’ve heard.” Tammie headed for the door. “Somebody help me pack. Is there a weight limit to moving between realms Liam?”

Liam did not reply, and she turned to look at him. The British knight seemed to be looking to her sisters for an answer.

Gwen shook her head. “Once a Lockhart makes up her mind, there is nothing to be done. If she says she is going with you, then Tammie will.”