Page 60 of The Darkest Knight

She felt naked in her skimpy pajamas and went to the kitchen needing to place the counter between them. For once she should have listened to Sabrina and gotten dressed.

“Look, I know my sisters can be convincing. They manipulated you into coming here and marrying me by taking advantage of the knight’s honor code, didn’t they?”

“No,” he replied watching her with intensity. “I did not have to be forced to come here.”

Of course he would not admit to being forced. “So why are you here then? Did you suddenly decide that you are capable of caring for me? Because last time we talked you were pretty fervent about how you could never feel anything for me.”

“Forgive me.” The sincerity in his eyes made her believe he was sorry for hurting her feelings.

She shrugged, pretending it was nothing. “You can’t help how you feel. You don’t have to apologize. Granted, you didn’t have to be so harsh, but then again, you left no room for any misunderstanding.”

“I need you to listen to me.” He came around the counter and reached for her but lowered his arm at her lifting her hands up to stop him. “Will you allow me to explain?”

As it was, she fought to keep her emotions in check. She wanted to touch him. Her mind and body craved his touch. She wanted to cry, allow the tears to finally fall, tell him how much she missed him. How she’d agree to anything as long as he stayed with her. But it would not work. He didn’t love her, and she would not force him to remain with her out of a sense of honor.

“I can’t, Niall. There is nothing you can say that will convince me your feelings have changed so drastically in such a short period.”

“My feelings for you have never changed.”

“At least you’re honest.” She turned away from him to hide the tears that threatened. Damn him and her nosy sisters. “Please go.”

He didn’t move so she went around him. “Fine. Stay if you want. Do whatever you want. I’m going back to bed. Tell Sabrina her present sucked.”

Tammie ran to her bedroom and crawled into the bed, tears falling. Sorrow cut painfully through the layers of protection she’d tried to build. If only she didn’t love him so completely, it wouldn’t hurt as much.

The bed dipped and strong arms surrounded her, pulling Tammie against him. She wanted to argue and push him away, but it was no use. She could never resist his touch.

He kissed her hair and softly urged her to calm. “Tamara don’t cry. I am so very sorry for hurting you,” Niall pleaded. “I needed to protect you. That is why I said those things.”

As much as she knew it was best to move away, Tammie didn’t stir, it felt so good to just allow him to hold her.

“There was more to my imprisonment than the enchantment you see,” Niall continued, “I was also trapped by Devina, a trap that even here I could not escape. I could not sentence you to a marriage with someone who could not sleep for fear of being taken to her dungeon and her bed.”

He kissed her again and, placing his hand under her chin, turned her face up to him. “Believe me when I tell you that hurting you was as painful for me as it was for you. But I saw no other way.”

Tammie waited until she could finally speak without blubbering. She took a deep cleansing breath. “Why are you telling me all of this now? Has something changed with that bitch?”

“She’s dead,” Niall told her, his voice filled with hatred. “A death that did not do justice to what she truly deserved.”

“Are you sure she’s dead?”

“I have not been pulled into her realm. I have waited to be sure I would not be drawn away by her before coming here. I believe she is truly dead.”

“Oh,” was the only response Tammie could manage before continuing. “Those were your two cages then.”

“Aye, I’m free. Two cages were Meliot and Devina. Her death along with McMurray’s spell and your sacrifice…” He hesitated, his eyes misting, “it broke the enchantment.”

“What if one of the cages was the love that tethers you to your wife? You wanted to reunite with her. Wasn’t that one of the reasons you resisted being rescued?”

His eyes went soft, and lips curved into a barely there smile. “I will never stop loving Caitlin or thinking of my children. However, they are my past, another lifetime. You, Tamara, are my present.”

Tammie was not sure what to think. “What do you wish for now?” Her breath caught, waiting for his answer.

“I want you in whatever way you allow,” he replied. “In exchange, I offer you all of me. I love you Tamara Lockhart.”

For the first time in her life, Tammie was struck silent.

“Do you have nothing to say?” Niall asked.