Page 54 of The Darkest Knight

“Don’t swing the swords,” he called to his friends. “Jab at them.”

When two wolves fell dead, the rest became wary, circling and waiting for an opening instead, their confidence shaken. The trio of men did the opposite, attacking with more aggression.

A snowstorm began, the sleet falling hard, pelting them vigorously. Devina still watched, leaning forward enjoying the howls of pain from either human or beast. Niall stalked toward her. She was the reason he’d lost Tamara, the reason he’d never be free. The woman would not kill his friends too.

“Call the beasts off,” he demanded nearing her, seeing her eyes narrow.

She waved her hands, probably warding against his sword.

“Call them off now Devina.”

Her lips curved up, and she looked beyond him to the fight. “He speaks. It’s been years since you’ve spoken to me.”

She shrugged her shoulder, a demure movement. “Why should I call them off? I’m enjoying the fight.” Her eyes turned back to him, her glare full of venom. “So you have returned. Was she not as exciting as I am?”

He swung his sword aiming for her neck. Although warded, her eyes widened. Her hand flew up, an automatic reflex. The blade bounced back off her protective shield.

Niall lifted his eyebrows, “Not fully confident in your wards, demon?”

With a loud screech, she waved her right hand, and he flew through the air, landing a few feet from where Liam and Padriag held off the remaining wolves. Both seemed to be tiring.

Padriag looked over at him. “She’s mad at you.”

On his feet again, he stalked back to the woman. “Let them go. It’s me you want. I’ll stay with you.”

Devina cocked her head to the side. “It’s too late. The red-haired knight has volunteered to take your place. I think he will be an eager lover.” She watched as Padriag leaped back to avoid a dog’s bite. “I just might put him in a cage with three wolves tonight before taking him. He has quick reflexes.”

“You will do no such thing. He is not taking my place.”

“Jealous?” she replied, a bored expression on her face. The fight, it seemed, was not bloody enough for her.

Her eyes snapped back to him. “I am no longer interested in you. You are to die here. Meliot will see to it. I will ask him to gift me Padriag and maybe the blonde one as well.”

Rage filled Niall and he yelled, charging towards her, his sword pointing at her heart. Devina held both hands up, no doubt strengthening her ward, but his hit was so direct, she fell backwards.

He jabbed at her, but the protective shield deflected each deathblow, which enraged him further.

Devina jumped up and threw a fireball at him that knocked him against a tree so hard; he knew at least two ribs broke. That did not deter him from rushing her again. This time, when they clashed, she screamed, shocked that he could hit so hard against her ward.

“Watch out behind you!” Padriag yelled.

Niall turned to find two wolves snarling, one was able to bite his calf before he could react. The thud of his sword hitting the beast’s side was followed by the animal’s death howl. The other wolf flew at his chest knocking him flat on his back. He was able to block a bite to his throat with his arm.

He barely felt the bite or the broken ribs. He’d had plenty of training in degrees of pain, thanks to Devina. The current ones were nothing compared to the years of torture he’d endured in her dungeon. He managed to thrust the beast off of him, hitting the animal’s head with the hilt of his sword.

The wolf scrambled to his feet and circled. Devina’s amused laughter rang out. Of course she would find his bleeding entertaining. Niall was waiting for the wolf’s next attack when he was hit from behind, a direct blow to his nape that knocked him to his knees.

Reeling, he tried to keep focus, barely keeping the sword up. The wolf locked gazes with him, but for some reason did not advance. Devina stepped in front of him. His head swam—he was losing consciousness.

Niall attempted to lift his sword but was too weak from the last hit. His body refused to obey, a streak of pain radiating through his head.

Padriag and Liam tried to run to him, but snarling wolves blocked them. The men began to fight, but as tired as they were, Niall hoped they could at least defend themselves.

Devina grabbed his sword from his limp hands. “It’s a shame really. I had plans for us, for a future together. I have to kill you now. I will be sad, but with your friend’s help, I will get over any grief.” She actually seemed troubled.

Devina lifted the sword. “I’ll make this quick. After all the years of prolonging your agony, why not this farewell gift.”

The sword moved toward him and Niall closed his eyes, in spite of everything, he felt ready. His lips curved into a smile, and he waited for death.