Page 20 of An Unlikely Knight
A grin spread and Sterling shook his head. “When a young male auroch reaches maturity, the sire challenges him to battle. Usually, the elder wins. It is not a fight to the death, despite how it sounds.”
“It sounded like a thunderstorm and a tornado dueling.” Padriag leaned forward. “Are there storms here?”
Sterling nodded. “They are called wonders here.”
“Your language is nice to hear. Very soft and lilting,” Padriag told the prince. “I should learn a bit if I am to stay.”
“I can arrange for a tutor,” Sterling informed him.
“That would be helpful. I appreciate it. Can I ask, how is it some of you speak English?”
Sterling shrugged. “My sisters and I were taught languages of other realms. Your English, as you call it, is one of them.”
They ate in silence for a bit. The juice and fruits tasted different from anything Padriag had ever tasted, but at the same time, it was delicious.
“What keeps you here?” Sterling asked, his gaze locking with Padriag. “What keeps you away from the other realm?”
Ire rose, but Padriag tapped it down. “I want to leave, believe me, I don’t want to stay here and die away from my homeland.”
“And yet,” Sterling said, his attention on the view behind Padriag. “You are not planning to leave. You have resigned yourself to remain here until your death.”
What the hell did the man know? “Have you ever left this realm?”
Sterling’s iridescent eyes met his, then he looked away. “I have.”
“Can you imagine dying away from here? In a place that you didn’t know existed. I want to return to the land where I was born. I have been fighting to get out of here.”
“I would not wish to be taken from my homeland. I do not wish it for you either.” The prince’s brow furrowed. “Padriag, you must first release yourself from your burdens. Only then will you be able to allow those who work tirelessly to help you.”
“Have you ever seen the Matrix movie?” Padriag asked, sure his smile would annoy Sterling, who stared back blankly. “You remind me of Morpheus.”
Padriag was sure the prince had no idea what he was referring to until Sterling chuckled. “I suppose you see yourself as Neo, but I think you’re the spoon boy.”
“The bald kid that bent silverware. No way. I’m Trinity, she’s kick ass.” Padriag cocked his head to the side. “How did you watch the movie here?”
Sterling pushed from the table and stood. “I have not watched it, it was forefront in your mind.”
He felt his eyes narrow. “Stay out of my head.”
“I do. But you sent me the images, wishing me to have something in common with you. Our worlds have more parallels than you can imagine. I must attend to some matters. Enjoy your meal,” the prince said, pushing back from the table.
“Talking in riddles is annoying,” Padriag called out after him.
* * *
Liam woke to find the bed empty, John was already up. He slid from the bed feeling tired. They’d argued the night before over Liam’s insistence that he had to spend most of his time in the other realm.
John had not been happy when Liam told him that he and Padriag lived in Esland. “If anything happens to you, I will never know. You are not responsible for Padriag. I’d understand if you went there to check on him, to give messages and such. But you elect to spend your time there and visit here.”
Despite Liam’s long life, this was his first real relationship. He’d not wanted to be involved with anyone, not until everything was solved. But he was in love with John, could not see life without him. He’d explained it to John, who wasn’t convinced.
Upon entering the kitchen, John was pouring a coffee into a second cup and then pushed it to him. “I heard you get up.”
Each time Liam saw John, he couldn’t keep the lightness in his chest. John was his perfect match. Handsome, quiet, studious, but also passionate.
“I do not wish to argue when I am with you,” Liam began. “As far as we know Meliot believes I am still trapped and its imperative he continues to. I will do everything I can to keep my absences shorter. I promise.”
John’s gaze lifted to his. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
