Page 6 of The Darkest Knight

“Perhaps. He leaves and goes back to his ancestral home quite often.” The familiar scowl returned. “I must go.”

His abrupt announcement caught her by surprise. “Oh, no. You can’t. Not yet.” Tammie grabbed onto his sleeve. “I can’t let you leave until you promise to return and discuss the situation again. Otherwise, I will come to you.”

Niall’s eyes locked to where she held onto his arm. She fisted the fabric tighter, hoping he couldn’t disappear if she hung on to his clothing. Then, not satisfied, she grabbed his hand with her free one and held her breath. Just in case he decided to flash away, she’d be semi-prepared.

“Why do you close your eyes?”

Tammie opened them. “I was preparing myself in case you left and took me with you.”

He didn’t respond, but she noticed his gaze flickered from her face to their intertwined fingers. “You can release me. I will return.”

“Tomorrow.”

“Aye, tomorrow.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Still not sure, she released his shirt, but not his hand. “I don’t know if I trust you.” She studied him. “I need some kind of insurance.”

He rolled his eyes.

Adorable. It was the first time he’d shown any kind of an almost fun gesture. Tammie caught herself and scowled at him.

“What are you two doing?” Liam stood at the doorway. Gwen and Sabrina’s faces peeked around him.

The blonde knight smiled at noticing their clutched hands and earned a growl from Niall who tried to pull his hand free of Tammie’s. She hung on to it.

“I won’t release him until he swears to return tomorrow,” Tammie explained to the group.

“I’ve promised,” Niall retorted through gritted teeth.

Tammie looked to her sisters who both studied Niall. “Should I trust that he will do as he’s promised?”

Sabrina pushed past Liam and moved closer. “I don’t know, I think he has too. Some kind of knight rule.” She turned to Liam. “Am I right?”

“Why don’t you ask him?” Liam replied, obviously enjoying Niall’s discomfort.

Everyone looked to Niall who in turn looked straight ahead to the blank wall. “I must keep my word. It is part of the Knight’s code.”

“There you see,” Gwen, ever the trusting soul, told Tammie. “Let him go. He looks like he’s in pain.”

“He’s not in pain.” Tammie stood on her tiptoes and studied his face. “Are you?”

A muscle on the side of his jaw pulsed, and Tammie bit her bottom lip. “Oh goodness maybe he’s got a headache.”

At Liam’s loud laugh they all turned to him. “He’s not sick, he’s mad. Furious in fact.”

Tammie yelped and released Niall’s hand jumping away from him. “Jeez. Once you’re free we’re taking you to see someone about anger management.”

Niall looked at her for a long moment. For those few seconds it was as if no one else in the room existed. She was surprised that anger was not present in his eyes, but instead a deep longing and something else, an emotion that she could only describe as sadness.

“Well ladies, we must bid you farewell for now. Niall will be here tomorrow.”

Both knights disappeared.

Niall never looked away from her.