Page 19 of The Last Knight

Could she really feel anything for him now?

No. Trust, once broken, rarely healed without leaving scars. Whatever they’d once shared had been very good, but when he’d ended things so abruptly, it had shattered more than her heart. It had shattered any chance of a reconciliation.

Even the thought of friendship felt unrealistic.

It was settled. She’d speak to Marcus and ensure he understood nothing would ever happen between them and that she had no desire to ever be with him again.

Feeling better, she wrapped a towel around her body and stepped out of the bathroom stopping short, a scream erupting from her throat.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Aubrey shrieked, and without thinking she rushed forward and punched Gunther in the stomach, catching him off guard. He let out a combination grunt and gasp before stepping backward.

This was not how she pictured this day going at all. First she was to have a peaceful yoga session in the village park, followed by a delightful visit to her shop and then the day was supposed to end with a glass of wine and takeout, perhaps curry.

Only the first item on the list had gone as planned. Ignoring Gunther, she stormed to the bed, grabbed the clothes she’d laid out, consisting of leggings and an oversized long sleeve t-shirt then returned to the bathroom. “Go away,” she called through the door.

Not that she expected he’d be gone. She let out an annoyed groan. What now? And why did Gunther look different? Something about his clothing.

As she expected when she walked out, Gunther remained standing, next to her bed. He held her cell phone and studied it. He wore modern clothes. Black slacks, a dark grey button-up shirt and loafers. He’d fit right into current times. Looked like most men, or perhaps not. He exuded wealth, his clothing obviously tailored to fit his toned body perfectly.

“I came to ask if you’d reconsidered my request,” Gunther said, his deep voice smooth, the kind that made women take notice.

Aubrey neared and took her phone from his hand. “Even if I had any idea how to help you, I can’t. For all I know you wish to come here and spread darkness. Bring the evil with you.”

His chest expanded as he took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “It is the evil that I wish to escape. The pull to lose myself in the darkness becomes stronger every day. I fear soon it will consume me and take with it my humanity.”

She was mesmerized by his throat when he swallowed. “Can we talk,” he asked.

“Perhaps somewhere other than your bedchamber?”

Did she have a choice? If she were to be honest, questions bubbled in her head, there were many things she wanted to know.

“Very well.” Crossing her arms, she met his gaze. “Don’t push your luck and try anything. Oh, and do not take this as me agreeing to anything.” Aubrey wasn’t sure, but she thought the corners of his lips inched up just a bit.

They made their way from her bedroom to the sitting room. Scottish hospitality won out and she offered him a drink. Gunther nodded and she went to the kitchen, returning with two wine glasses, a bottle of red wine and a corkscrew.

Gunther took the bottle and waved a hand, the bottle uncorked on its own, the movements fluid and graceful. Then he poured them each a glass, holding out hers.

When she eyed it suspiciously, he gave her a bland look.

“It’s safe. What would I have to gain by adding anything to it?”

“So many things. You can get the password to my phone; you can control my mind and make me help you…” She took the glass, deciding he could do any of those things if he wished to without tampering with her wine.

She lowered to one of two love seats, and he joined her, leaving very little space between them. Up close she could see that he looked to be about thirty. No wrinkles, the only marks were a pair of tiny lines on the outer corners of his eyes, and, of course, the brutal mark on the left side of his face. He had a perfectly shaped thin nose, full lips and sharp cheekbones. Long, dark blond eyelashes framed his bright blue eyes, the color of the Mediterranean Sea. Today his hair was brushed back from his face, the waves falling to barely graze his wide shoulders.

To sum it up, the man was breathtakingly handsome. Absently, she wondered how women had reacted to him when he last lived in this realm.

“So,” Aubrey started. “Why were you taken by Meliot to begin with?”

For a long moment he was silent, a slight frown appearing between his brows. Obviously it was not an easy question to answer.

“I served as a knight in service to Stadtholder Willem, when I was taken to the Dark Realm during the Anglo-Dutch war.” He studied the wine in his glass.

That was a strong conversation starter, Aubrey considered. “Where did you live before being taken?”

“The Dutch Republic, seventeen eighty-one.” If he noticed she avoided asking questions about his supposed culpability, he didn’t remark on it.

Doing quick math in her head, she realized he’d been in the other realm for just over two hundred years. Which made him a significantly older man. Aubrey almost giggled at her thoughts but found it impossible. Gunther emanated power, parts good, parts not. It was the latter that made her want to move away from him.