Page 44 of The Darkest Knight

“Some assistance would be nice,” Padriag replied, holding up his bound hands.

“Yes, of course,” the male somehow managed to keep Erin in his arms and swing his sword, breaking through the bounds with a graceful swing.

Niall grabbed Tammie’s hand, and as a group they hurried to the large beast that had lowered itself to allow them to climb on his back.

“What exactly do I hold on to?” Tammie asked. She tried to swallow, but her throat was dry. “I’m afraid of heights.”

When Padriag mounted, Sterling handed Erin to him and stood back.

“Your help saved us,” Niall told the blonde male who watched them with what seemed to be a bored expression on his face.

It was then that Devina sat up dazed, when she spotted them on the dragon, she shrieked and tried to lift her hand to throw a fireball, but Sterling stopped her. He grabbed her arms and pulled them behind her, holding her in place.

“Eeeeeeeeek!” Tammie couldn’t stop from screaming when the dragon leaped into the air. Tammie held on to the nearest scale, her knuckles turning white as she hung on for dear life.

The beast began to descend, and Tammie looked to Niall who held her against him. “Why are we landing so soon?”

“We are too heavy, besides he has to return for Sterling,” Niall informed her.

The beast lighted onto the ground. Astounded by the beast’s grace, Tammie didn’t think to protest when Niall carried her into the woods. She watched over his shoulder to see the dragon take flight again toward Meliot’s castle.

“Do you think that Sterling guy is going to be all right?”

“Sterling can take care of himself.” Niall replied.

Snow fell onto the frozen ground. Tammie snuggled against Niall as he carried her, using his cloak to keep them both warm. She tried to protest, insisting that she was perfectly capable of walking, but he’d told her this way they could both use the cloak and share body warmth.

They walked for almost an hour before the men finally walked into a clearing and stopped.

Padriag and Erin dematerialized.

“Are you taking me back to Scotland?”

“Yes.”

“Will you return?”

“Close your eyes and hold on to me,” Niall told her.

Not wanting a repeat of what happened last time with Gunther, she did.