Page 20 of The Darkest Knight

Niall, still slumped on the floor beside the bed, stared at her in confusion. His body was heavy, drained of energy, but a warmth began to flow through him—gentle, soothing, and unmistakably familiar. It wrapped around him like a cloak, healing the invisible wounds Devina’s torture had left behind. He took a deep, shuddering breath, his body filling with strength again.

Wake up, Niall. The voice was soft yet commanding, a whisper in his mind. Tamara’s voice.

“I can’t,” he groaned, fighting against a strong lull to remain asleep, in Devina’s realm.

Yes, you can. Wake up. Now.

With a sudden gasp, Niall’s eyes flew open. A golden light filtered through a window onto his bed, the high ceiling greeted him, and the chill of the dungeon was replaced by the bedchamber he shared with his friends.

He was back. Safe.

“First meal is being served. I’m going down.” Liam’s voice cut through the haze.

Padriag stood just outside the bathroom, his expression curious. “Whoa, Niall, you look ... different. Got some good sleep, eh?” the young man continued. “You coming?”

Niall stretched, his muscles surprisingly loose, his body renewed. “Aye, I am.”

As he rose to his feet, the weight of being in Devina’s realm seemed to slip away, replaced by a renewed and strange lightness.

He looked at Padriag, his voice steady. “As soon as the meal is over, I’m going to the other realm. Are you?”

Padraig grinned. “Sure, I’ll come along.”

For the first time in what felt like years, Niall allowed himself a faint smile. A sense of purpose was returning, and with it, hope.