Page 68 of An Unlikely Knight

“Padriag,” Tristan’s voice returned. “Stay there and rest. We can all gather tomorrow to talk.”

Once the others were assured that Padriag was safe and that Erin agreed to let him stay the night, they ended the conversation.

Erin met Padriag’s gaze. “I am so glad. You did it.” She reached for him, but he held his hands out.

“I don’t want to get whatever all this crap is on you. I need to wash up,” Padriag said. “Then I will kiss you properly.” With a devilish grin, he winked at her. Erin couldn’t help but chuckle at how funny he looked with a dirty face and disheveled hair.

“I have clothes here for you. The others brought it when they came here in case you came here. They must have suspected you might since this is your ancestral home.” Her cheeks warmed, when she considered that perhaps the others thought Padriag would appear here because of her.

While he showered, Erin made herbal tea and toasted bread. When he emerged, she had a plate of buttered toast and jam waiting, as well as the tea

Wearing a simple blue t-shirt that clung to his muscular build and jeans hanging low on his hips, Padriag looked as if he belonged in modern times. His damp hair fell in lazy waves to his shoulders, framing his stubbled jaw and clear hazel eyes.

Padriag padded barefoot to where she sat and, without hesitating, he leaned over and kissed her fully on the lips. His mouth lingered over hers until her eyes fell closed and she reached up and slipped her hand around his nape, wishing to deepen the kiss.

By the time he straightened, her heart was thumping so hard she was sure it was audible.

“Please eat. Tell me what happened,” Erin said motioning to the toast. “I don’t have much more to cook right now. Everything would take too long.”

He sat in the chair next to hers and met her gaze. “Thank you. I am very hungry. With the difference in days and time, it hard to know how long it has been since I’ve eaten.”

Between bites he told her everything. How they’d defeated the first wave of Meliot’s army. The wizard’s appearance and how, just when they thought defeat was eminent, Esland had come to their rescue.

It was a fantastical tale that kept Erin breathless. Each turn of events, the creatures involved, and the medieval forms of battle kept her glued to every word. When he finally described how Meliot died, Erin gasped.

Erin spoke in a soft reverent tone. “My grandmother’s dagger was the key to your freedom. I can’t believe it. How can that be possible?” She closed her eyes needing a moment to consider what it could mean.

“What is it?” Padriag asked.

“If the dagger was a way to end the wizard, the fact my grandmother had it, could only mean one thing.”

Padriag’s gaze dropped, and he reached for her hand. “What do you think it means?”

“That my grandmother must have been to the alter-world. Or someone she knew came from there. How else would she have an ancient item from that realm?”

He nodded and took another sip of tea. “There are many people in this world that have traveled to other realms. I am sure of it.”

“I will never know. But I do wonder the reason for her insisting I have the box of what seemed to be inconsequential items.”

Erin let out a long sigh. “So many questions about everything. I suppose we have to be accepting that we may never know all the answers.”

Standing up, Padriag let out a long yawn. “I can barely keep my eyes open. Can I sleep in your bed?” He held out his hand and Erin took it.

They slipped between the sheets and Padriag pulled Erin close. Within moments he was fast asleep.

It was after midnight, she wasn’t sure of the time as she lay in his arms. It would take years to describe how she felt in that moment. One day she and Padriag would tell their children the tale of how they met, it would be a fairy tale that perhaps they’d grow up to not believe. It wouldn’t matter, because as long as she and Padriag lived, the adventure would remain with them always.

Upon waking, Padriag breath came in short shaky gasps. He fought the roller coaster of emotions, doing his best not to break down. It was true. He was free, it hadn’t been a dream.

It was early, the dim sunlight slipping through the space between the curtains.

Erin lay on her side, lost in sleep, her breathing slow and even. Her features were bathed in that gentle light. Her full, pink lips were slightly parted, her long, light brown hair spilling like silk across the pillow, catching the glow in warm strands.

She was breathtaking.

He could spend years watching her sleep. It was difficult to swallow past the growing emotions, a mixture of happiness and excitement. How had he come to be there, not only free, but with such a woman?

Just being near Erin brought him peace, settled his errant thoughts. Any idea that he was unworthy, or that he did not belong there, evaporated when she touched him. Somehow, he had to come up with a way to tell her how deeply he felt for her. That life without her in it was unthinkable. Just thinking that she didn’t feel the same way scared Padriag more than facing the hundreds in battle.