Page 29 of The Darkest Knight

“Er … anyway,” she stammered, turning quickly to rummage through her things. She snatched the spell book from her bed, only to back straight into Niall’s solid frame.

“Where’s Tristan?” His voice was low, his breath warm against her cheek. He stood so close, she could feel the heat radiating from him.

Without turning, afraid she might do something reckless, she said, “Tristan and Gwen are at the stables. Sabrina and Gavin are still at Castle Campbell. They’ll be back by morning.”

“I came to say goodbye.”

The words hit her like a slap. She whirled around, bumping into his chest. “Goodbye? What do you mean?”

“I must stay behind if Padraig is to be freed,” he said quietly, his expression unreadable.

Fury ignited in her chest. “That’s it? You’re giving up? Letting Meliot win without even trying to fight?” Her fists clenched, and before she could stop herself, she punched him square in the chest. Pain shot up her hand, and she winced. “Ow! Damn it.”

Niall reached for her hand, but she yanked it back. “Don’t you dare touch me, you stubborn, insufferable man.”

“You don’t understand the full nature of my enchantment,” he said, his storm-grey eyes darkening with frustration.

“Oh, of course I don’t,” she shot back, stepping closer until they were nearly nose to nose. “You refuse to tell me everything! You won’t raise a finger to help yourself, and yet you expect us to somehow figure it all out and accept it.”

His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking beneath his skin. “It’s impossible⁠—”

“No! Nothing is impossible,” she snapped. “If you want to sulk in the corner while we do all the work, fine. But don’t you dare tell me it can’t be done.”

“I will help free Padraig. You should focus your efforts on him, not me.”

Silence hung between them, tension crackling in the air like an impending storm. Slowly, Niall reached out, his fingers brushing along her jawline. His touch was unexpectedly gentle, his eyes softening. “You’re a brave woman, Tamara. My crusader.”

Before she could respond, his mouth descended to hers, fierce and demanding. She met him with equal intensity, threading her fingers through his hair as he pulled her tightly against him. There was nothing gentle about the way he kissed her—this was raw, wild need.

With a growl, Niall swept her up, and they tumbled onto the bed. His hands moved urgently, pulling at her clothes as she did the same.

Finally skin met skin, heat rising between them like a flame that refused to be doused. Tammie arched into him, reveling in the feel of his hard body, the strength that surrounded her.

“Niall …” she whispered, her voice a breathless plea as he plunged into her, his movements slow and steady, each thrust drawing her closer to the edge.

Their rhythm quickened, and Tamara met every single one of his drives, arching up, their bodies colliding until the intensity was such that they were both panting, their blood on fire, unable to stop as they chased the elusive release that seemed just out of reach. Tammie dug her fingernails into the small of his back, somehow needing him closer, deeper.

His heavy breaths fanned across her face as their eyes locked. He was so breathtakingly handsome, and even in the throes of passion, the storm in his gray eyes remained.

When he threw back his head, the thick cords of his neck and shoulders bulged. Tammie began to lose control, her breathing hitching until her body and mind exploded, flying, tumbling, reeling.

Her hoarse cry intermixed with Niall’s deep groan as he too fell over the cliff, his huge body shuddering before collapsing.

For a moment, neither moved, their breaths mingling in the stillness.

“Stay with me,” she whispered, her arms wrapping around him as if to keep him from vanishing again.

“I will … for a while,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her hair.

They lay entwined, the weight of unspoken words between them. Tammie traced lazy circles on his back, savoring the rare moment of peace. But even in this quiet, she knew the stillness wouldn’t last.

The fight wasn’t over—not yet.

Tammie ran her hands over his back, massaging the hard planes. She smiled when he sighed at her touch.

“I should move. I am crushing you,” Niall told her and tried to move.

She wrapped her arms around him and held him in place. “Not yet.” When she nuzzled his neck, he relaxed again.