Page 24 of The Darkest Knight

Spell of ages from Master of pages.

Sacrifice fate for the knight in two cages.

“Oh my god,” Tammie whispered, the ground seeming to sway beneath her. She clutched at the rough bark of the tree behind her, trying to steady herself as dizziness threatened to overwhelm her. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening.

Niall let out a long breath. “On the cursed day that the others and I went to meet with the Knights’ Council, little did we know defending a village under attack, and crossing Meliot, sealed our fates. He punished us using his powerful magic to throw us to the other realm, where he’s tortures us, sends us on useless quests and made it almost impossible to be freed. It wasn’t until Tristan and Gavin were freed by your sisters that I felt a flicker of hope. Not for myself, but for the others.”

Niall’s voice was calm, far too calm, as though he had long since resigned himself to the cruelty of his fate. “I do not wish to father children again. Not after failing the ones I had. And even if I did …”

“A demon holds you captive,” Tammie said, watching his eyes widen. “She’s real isn’t she?”

“Devina. She will never release her grip on me, no matter which realm I inhabit.”

His calmness cut deeper than any shouted anguish could have. He wasn’t just resigned—he was utterly defeated. He’d carried this burden for centuries, and now she understood why he had never truly believed freedom was possible.

“There has to be a way,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“There is not,” Niall said firmly, his tone final. “I have had a long time to consider ways I can be free. I found none. I have accepted my fate.”

Niall scanned the landscape, his eyes lingering on every detail, as if committing this place to memory. She could see it now—the quiet acceptance of a man who had already decided to let go of life.

Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest. She couldn’t let this happen. She wouldn’t let this happen.

“Will you keep coming?” she asked, her voice edged with quiet desperation. “To help with Padraig’s rescue?”

Niall turned back to her, and for a moment, something softened in his expression. “Aye. I will help Padraig.”

His returning would give her time. Time to figure something out. Time to come up with a plan. One thing was certain—she wasn’t leaving Niall behind, no matter what it took.

Except … having a child. That was a line she hadn’t signed up to cross with a man she barely knew.